1. Independent Advocacy Service consultation 20 August 2015 Carol Williams Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment Partnership Board

2. Background  The County Council wants to commission a new independent advocacy service.  The service will be run as a single contract across Cambridgeshire.  The Council has not decided yet what the new advocacy service will look like.

3. Main benefits of a single advocacy service are …  A single point of access that is easier to use.  Equal access across the county.  Ensuring that the Council meets all its duties for advocacy under the law.  Better value for money.

4. Statutory duties related to advocacy  The Care Act 2014  National Health Service Act 2006  Mental Capacity Act 2005  Mental Health Act 1983  The Children Act 1989 & 2002  Human Rights Act 1998

5. Consultation  Running for three months: from 13 July to 12 October 2015.  The Council will be asking people for their views on what would make a good and effective single advocacy service.  The Council will use this feedback to help design the new service.

6. Current situation 1)Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy (run by POhWER) 2)Independent Mental Health Advocacy and general mental health advocacy (run by CIAS) 3)Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (run by VoiceAbility) Seven contracts with individual providers, covering:

7. Current situation 4)Community advocacy for disabled adults of working age (run by VoiceAbility) 5)Community advocacy for older people (run by Age UK Cambridgeshire) 6)Advocacy service for Looked After Children and Children in Need (run by National Youth Advocacy Service)

8. Current situation 7)Advocacy for the profoundly deaf (run by Cambridgeshire Deaf Association) In addition, the Council is required to provide:  Advocacy for carers

9. Independent advocacy means … Supporting a person to:  Understand information.  Express their needs and wishes.  Get their rights.  Represent their interests.  Get the care and support they need.

10. Consultation activities Questionnaire:  Available on-line: on-line surveyon-line survey  Large print and Easy Read versions.  Printed copies can be sent out.  Attending a range of meetings and groups – for example, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association drop-ins  Cambridgeshire Alliance workshop on 29 September.

11. Any questions? Tel: 01223 706130 E-mail: carol.williams@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk