Advocacy Mental Health, Housing and Older People Andrew Booth BSc BA Director Sefton Pensioners Advocacy Centre

What is Advocacy? Advocacy at its simplest means speaking up – on ones own behalf or on behalf of others Advocacy at its simplest means speaking up – on ones own behalf or on behalf of others It can be an important means by which people’s voices can be heard and their views and wishes made known It can be an important means by which people’s voices can be heard and their views and wishes made known It can enable people to gain access to information, to be well informed about their rights and to make complaints or comments where required It can enable people to gain access to information, to be well informed about their rights and to make complaints or comments where required

Characteristics of Advocacy Advocacy is founded on the belief that all people have value and rights.  The individual advocate must be independent of any service provision.  The one to one relationship between the advocate and the service user.  Advocacy involves entering into a relationship.  The commitment and loyalty of the advocate must be to the service user.

Principles & Values of Advocacy –Independence – free from conflicts of interest, interests of the older person are paramount –Empowerment – awareness, autonomy, control –Inclusion – involvement and accessibility –Citizenship – substantive and procedural rights

Principles & Values of Advocacy Autonomy  To be a “self determining” person – being the person you want to be and doing the things you want to do

Principles & Values of Advocacy Citizenship  To safeguard rights; Promoting and defending the civil and political rights of every individual

Principles & Values of Advocacy Inclusion  Including people on the basis of equality of opportunity and access.  Including people regardless of how they feel others may perceive them

Types/Styles of Advocacy Citizen Advocacy Based on the 1960’s civil rights movement in the USA, it involves an unpaid, trained citizen volunteer, who, with the support of an independent organisation represents the interests of the client/service user Based on the 1960’s civil rights movement in the USA, it involves an unpaid, trained citizen volunteer, who, with the support of an independent organisation represents the interests of the client/service user

Types/Styles of Advocacy Peer Advocacy When former or current service users act as advocates. When former or current service users act as advocates. When the Advocate and the Advocacy Partner share similar experiences or environments When the Advocate and the Advocacy Partner share similar experiences or environments

Types/Styles of Advocacy Self Advocacy Speaking up for yourself! Speaking up for yourself! A group of service users address common issues and concerns and make representations to management, for example a “Patients Council” within a hospital A group of service users address common issues and concerns and make representations to management, for example a “Patients Council” within a hospital

Types/Styles of Advocacy Lay Advocacy This involves Advocacy provided by paid workers employed by an independent organisation. Is often referred to as Crisis, Issue based or Case Advocacy. This involves Advocacy provided by paid workers employed by an independent organisation. Is often referred to as Crisis, Issue based or Case Advocacy. (Professional Advocacy) (Professional Advocacy)

Types/Styles of Advocacy Legal Advocacy This relates specifically to legal advice and representation from a solicitor or barrister (Scotland) This relates specifically to legal advice and representation from a solicitor or barrister (Scotland)

Working with Older People Sefton Pensioners Advocacy Centre

Sefton Pensioners’ Advocacy Centre Context & Demographics Borough of Sefton – Pop; 282,958 of which are persons aged over 60 (24.6%). 98.4% are of white ethnic extraction. There are 116,847 households in Sefton of which (27.8%) are pensioner households. All of these statistics are considerably higher than the national average for England and Wales. Borough of Sefton – Pop; 282,958 of which are persons aged over 60 (24.6%). 98.4% are of white ethnic extraction. There are 116,847 households in Sefton of which (27.8%) are pensioner households. All of these statistics are considerably higher than the national average for England and Wales. SPAC is a thriving small charity providing one to one casework advocacy and self-advocacy services to older people (aged 60+) SPAC is a thriving small charity providing one to one casework advocacy and self-advocacy services to older people (aged 60+) 500+ older people supported in cases were closed. 76 referrals around Housing older people supported in cases were closed. 76 referrals around Housing. Outcomes: 56 people were helped to relocate. 132 people were supported to remain in their chosen location. Outcomes: 56 people were helped to relocate. 132 people were supported to remain in their chosen location.

SPAC PROJECTS Dementia Project (Organic Mental Health) Dementia Project (Organic Mental Health) Functional Mental Health Project Functional Mental Health Project Nursing Homes/Care Package Project Nursing Homes/Care Package Project Volunteer Co-ordinator (General Advocacy) Volunteer Co-ordinator (General Advocacy) General Advocacy General Advocacy Sefton Older Persons Forums Sefton Older Persons Forums

Mental Health & Housing Project Need identified via other projects within SPAC Need identified via other projects within SPAC Need evidenced using case studies Need evidenced using case studies Discussions with accommodation providers Discussions with accommodation providers Project outcomes developed Project outcomes developed Funders researched and approached Funders researched and approached Project funded by hact (3 years) Project funded by hact (3 years)

Statutory View New proposals often refer to the benefits of independent advocacy New proposals often refer to the benefits of independent advocacy Govt stopped short of saying “there should be a statutory right to advocacy” Govt stopped short of saying “there should be a statutory right to advocacy” Mental Capacity Act – Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Mental Capacity Act – Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)

Publications & Contacts SPAC – “The Social Care needs of older Gay Men & Lesbians on Merseyside” SPAC – “The Social Care needs of older Gay Men & Lesbians on Merseyside” OPAAL – “Making a Real Difference”, “Mapping Older People’s Advocacy in the English Regions”, “A Voice that Wasn’t Speaking” OPAAL – “Making a Real Difference”, “Mapping Older People’s Advocacy in the English Regions”, “A Voice that Wasn’t Speaking” Help the Aged/OPAAL - “Advocacy with older people in hospital” (reprint forthcoming) Help the Aged/OPAAL - “Advocacy with older people in hospital” (reprint forthcoming) SPAC – SPAC – OPAAL – OPAAL –