Join us in celebrating Advocacy Awareness Week (#AAW22) and help us make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

This year's 5th annual Advocacy Awareness Week (#AAW22) takes place from 7th -11th November 2022.

This year's theme will show how advocates support people in relation to their human rights; each day will shine a light on an element of the Human Rights Act and what this means for each of us in our lives.

The week-long campaign is coordinated by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and this year is supported by The British Institute for Human Rights, as well as by independent advocacy providers across the UK.

The regulation gives people the right to advocacy in certain situations and anyone at any time may find themselves in need of independent advocate support, for instance; an elderly gentleman with dementia who wants to go home from the hospital, a young mum with post-natal depression detained under the Mental Health Act; a young man with learning difficulties financially abused and neglected by his family.

Advocacy Awareness week emphasises that stories such as the elderly gentleman, young mum, and young man are sadly not unique. Hence the need for advocates to challenge unlawful decisions on behalf of the human rights of the most vulnerable in our society is ever-present.

It is also a great opportunity to tell the wider public what we offer, and how it makes a real difference to people’s lives. It is also a chance for people working in advocacy to celebrate achievements, share stories, and think more deeply about our practice.

Gill Valentine, our Advocacy Manager said, “advocacy has the power and impact to change people’s lives. Helping someone have their voice heard at a time when they feel at their lowest is one of the most crucial things a person can do, and we must continue striving to do this in the strongest way that we can support people and make their voices heard. Those who already found it harder to have their voices heard have suffered the greatest.”

A case study:

A Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) referral from Supervisory Body for Paid Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) Statutory Advocate Support:

Key Issues:

Referral to support ‘P’, with a diagnosis of complex mental health, and physical health issues. ‘P’ has a history of complex mental health issues and had been on a Section 3 under the Mental Health Act 1983, prior to being discharged into a care home, receiving 24-hour care. ‘P’ had been assessed as requiring a Standard authorization while residing in the care home due to the deprivation of liberties placed on them.

The advocacy role was to support ‘P’ as a Paid Relevant Persons Representative throughout the duration of the Standard Authorisation. ‘P’ was eligible for the service after having been assessed as lacking the capacity to make the decision around their accommodation needs. ‘P’ informed the RPR of their wishes and feelings and informed that they wanted to be able to return to their home, with support and not stay residing in the current care home in the long-term future.

Support undertaken:

•  ‘P’ was visited by the RPR on a regular basis and remained in the opinion that they wanted to return to their home.

•  The RPR explained the DoLS process to ‘P’ and the RPR role.

•   The RPR discussed ‘P’ rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

•  The RPR listened to ‘P’s wishes and feelings (‘P’ informed of their wish to reside back in their own and not remain residing at the current care home., with a support package in place.

•  The RPR supported ‘P’ to request a review of their current placement by social services, prior to seeking legal support and a s21A challenge to the COP if required

Outcomes achieved:

•  ‘P’ was represented and supported by the advocate to express their views, needs, rights, preferences and decisions.

•   ‘P’ was empowered to challenge their current placement.

•   ‘P’ has been supported to request a review of their current placement.

•  ‘P’s case is now to be reviewed by their social worker.

•   The RPR supported all meetings undertaken with social services.

Join us in celebrating Advocacy Awareness Week (#AAW22) and help ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Follow #AAW22 on Twitter to get involved.

If you would like to find out more about, this statutory service providing help under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and the Care Act, independent advocacy, as well as ICAS service – get in touch.

You can email us at advocacy@weareecs.co.uk or visit https://www.healthwatchhalton.co.uk/advocacy-hub to find out more.