PROVIDER FORUM BOSTON 13 th October 2009 Advocacy in Lincolnshire

What is an Advocate? No single definition! Someone who defends or upholds a cause Someone who speaks on behalf of another person A person who pleads his client’s case in a court of law (Scotland)

Types of advocacy Formal or informal Professional or voluntary Citizen – long term relationships usually for people with a learning disability Provided by people who have used services Statutory – advocacy required by law Community – defending a community of interest

Issue Advocacy Issue advocacy means; Helping a person say what they want to say and make their own decisions An independent source of representation Protection for freedom of speech and self – determination

What advocates do Listen to a person and their issues Speak up when instructed by the person Provide information to give an informed choice Help negotiate a plan of action Arrange meetings to support the person Help the person challenge services if required Empower and enable the person Remain independent of statutory services

What advocates don’t do Impose their own views Give advice Replace a more appropriate service Break confidentiality Challenge decisions the person wants to make Create an environment of dependency Take the place of the person

1 Do you know enough about advocacy? Knowing about advocacy

What is available in Lincolnshire? A confused picture: Local general services Local specialist services Statutory services Grey areas! National groups

ServicesEligibilityProvides CALL Advocacy in Lincolnshire For people using LCC services and those with mental health needs over the age of 65 One to one issue based, group and citizen advocacy providing advocacy across client group for adults including projects for migrant workers Speaking Up Open to those using secondary MH services who are of working age (16-65) or over 65 on Section. IMHA from 1 st April 2009 One-to-one issue based and group advocacy Speaking Up – IMCA People who lack capacity who are facing a decision around serious medical treatment, accommodation or at risk of abuse Provides Mental Capacity Act Advocacy for Lincolnshire and NE Lincolnshire ICAS People who want to complain about NHS CareOne-to-one visits, telephone support, advocacy with complaints Shelter Tel: Open to all tenants and home ownersLegal advice, assistance and advocacy to all tenants who have a housing related problem and homeowners who have mortgage arrears HELPOpen to people who have a learning disabilityProvides peer and group advocacy RethinkFor Carers who are on CPA and are aged living in Lincolnshire Support groups, training information one-to-one advice and support Citizens Advice Bureau Open to all who have contact with PHC, including staff. 2 days per week service General information and advice, specialist debt and welfare benefits advice and education Lincoln MIND South Lincs MIND Need clarification of criteria – support people with MH problems, not just CPA Open criteria Advocacy and support Advice and support

Finding the right services 2 If a user of your service needed an advocate would you know how and where to find one?

How is advocacy used now? CALL has about 730 referrals a year and on average provides advocacy for 650 people 60% of referrals are from Adult Care, 10% are self referrals. 40% of referrals are for older people Overall, half of all referrals relate to personal finance, benefit issues or debt (62% for older people) Only 20% relate to social care received or concern matters of personal choice. Of these a significant number are complex cases

Could advocacy be used more in your services? 3 When might an advocate be useful in your services?

The next twelve months Countywide reviewFrom now until the end of March - any comments or ideas will be welcome! Putting People FirstWorking with the PPF team to agree what advocacy will be needed Mental Capacity and DOLsNew legal requirement for advocacy from 1 st April 2009 SafeguardingAdvocacy needed in safeguarding cases New service commissionedOne service delivering all types of advocacy

Getting the message across Better information about advocacy on the County Council website Leaflets and posters giving contacts for advocacy Training materials for care staff Awareness raising sessions on advocacy – workshops, meetings Case studies of how advocacy has helped people in care services Guidance for how to make a referral 4 What is your order of importance – 1-6? Any other suggestions?

Contact Details Advocacy review, IMCA and IMHA contracts Mick Skipworth – Advocacy review and advocacy for people who lack mental capacity Karen Rodgers –

Questions Do you know enough about advocacy? 2. If a user of your service needed an advocate would you know how and where to find one? 3. When might an advocate be useful in your services? 2. How can we get the message across better?