Independent Advocacy Chris Mackie

About AdvoCard About Independent Advocacy Non-Instructed Advocacy The Mental Health Act Advocacy in the RFU Conclusion and questions

Community: Based at 332 Leith Walk Provided by paid and unpaid Advocacy Workers Covers people who use mental health services across Edinburgh Royal Edinburgh Hospital: Based in Andrew Duncan Clinic Provided by paid Advocacy Workers Covers Hospital in-patients Acute, forensic, rehabilitation, young people, older people......Advocacy is available across all settings

AdvoCard is a service user-led, independent advocacy organisation. Our services are primarily for people with experience of mental ill- health in Edinburgh. We aim to provide opportunities for people to participate more effectively in decisions that affect all aspects of their lives.

Independent Advocacy Independent advocacy offers support and representation to people to have as much control and influence in their care and welfare as they feel is appropriate (paraphrasing the MHCT Act 2003)

SIAA Independent Advocacy Principles: Puts the people who use it first Is accountable Is as free as it can be from conflicts of interest Is accessible

Independent Advocacy Themes: Safeguarding people who are vulnerable and discriminated against or whom services find difficult to serve Empowering people who need a stronger voice by enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions Enabling people to gain access to information, explore and understand their options, and to make their views and wishes known Speaking on behalf of people who are unable to do so for themselves

Independent Advocacy is not: mediation advice befriending counselling care and support

Using Independent Advocacy Anyone can refer themselves (or someone they know) to us Phone, text, us... EARLY! You decide what it's about and how it goes We work on your expressed wish

Non-Instructed Advocacy “ taking affirmative action with or on behalf of a person who is unable to give a clear indication of their views or wishes in a specific situation. The non-instructed advocate seeks to uphold the persons rights; ensure fair and equal treatment and access to services; and make certain that decisions are taken with due consideration for their unique preferences and perspectives”.

Non-Instructed Advocacy (cont) “ where a person has a degree of incapacity or they cannot for any reason clearly say whether or not they would like an independent advocate, an MHO/Hospital Manager/Appropriate Person should consider how an advocate may be involved…. The right of access to independent advocacy is for each person and is not limited only to those who are best able to articulate their needs.”

Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Principles Powers Emergency Detention Short-term Detention Compulsory Treatment Order Safeguards Independent Advocacy Tribunals Advance Statements Named Persons

Advocacy in the Robert Fergusson Unit Clarifying our role Finding out the individual's goals Regular review of goals Assisting with an advance statement Recognition of issues around Insight Capacity Risk Safeguarding any former expressed wish Ensuring accessibility of processes

Any comments or questions?

332 Leith Walk Edinburgh EH6 5BR Txt msgs: c/o Andrew Duncan Clinic Royal Edinburgh Hospital Tipperlinn Road Morningside Edinburgh EH12 5HF Txt msgs: