Upholding your Human Rights through advocacy
This week is Advocacy Awareness Week 2022 (#AAW22) and to demonstrate how advocacy supports your rights, each day will shine a light on an element of the Human Rights Act. The week-long campaign, which is now in its fifth year, is coordinated by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and this year is supported by The British Institute of Human Rights and advocacy providers across the UK. Engaging Communities Solutions is proud to be supporting the week.
Human rights are basic rights everyone can expect and public authorities have a legal duty to respect and protect them. Protecting Human Rights should run through the care and support services you receive and make sure you’re involved in decisions about your care.
But what happens if you find it harder to express your views and communicate your wishes or if you’re in a complex situation? In certain circumstances, you can access the support of an independent advocate. Advocates have a key role in supporting people to understand their human rights, ensuring these are respected and upheld by public bodies, and raising concerns and challenges when they are under threat or at risk. Advocates are there to listen to what’s important to you, support you to understand your rights, and help you to communicate your views and wishes to health and care providers and others.
Case study:
Key Issues:
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) referral for IMHA Statutory Advocate Support:
Referral to support ‘P’, with a diagnosis of a mental health condition and had been detained under the Mental Health Act. ‘P’ was unhappy that no leave had been approved for them whilst they had been on the unit and disliked feeling that they had to rely on staff to go out and get what they needed from the shops. ‘P’ also felt that they struggled in reviews and believed that their views and wishes went unheard and medications were being prescribed by the Consultant without being explained to them. ‘P’ also found themselves getting very overwhelmed at reviews and would forget everything they wanted to ask the Consultant and Care Team. ‘P’ can self-advocate but struggles with their self-confidence. ‘P’ requested support to challenge their section as they felt they would be better placed at home surrounded by their family.
‘P’ was eligible for IMHA support due to being detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act.
Support undertaken:
• ‘P’ was visited by the IMHA on several occasions.
• Spent time listening and understanding ‘P’s wishes and feelings.
• The IMHA spoke with nursing staff on a regular basis and discussed issues raised by ‘P’.
• The IMHA wrote to the Consultant expressing ‘P’s view in relation to having an explanation of medication being prescribed in a way in which ‘P’ could comprehend.
• The IMHA accompanied ‘P’ to reviews and supported/empowered ‘P’ to self-advocate.
• The IMHA would also have a conversation with ‘P’ prior to reviews and would write a list together of topics to be brought up at the review and provide a prompt to ‘P’ when needed.
Outcomes achieved:
• ‘P’ was represented and supported to express their views, needs, rights, preferences and decisions.
• ‘P’ had a greater understanding of and involvement in the planning of, their care and support.
• ‘P’ was provided with support to have greater choice and control over their own lives and the support they receive.
• ‘P’s confidence and skills to articulate their needs developed, with the assistance of an Advocate.
Gill Valentine, our Advocacy Manager said:
“We want to make sure people know about independent advocacy and how it can help them achieve their rights. We also want to remind commissioners why good quality independent advocacy is essential to people in our communities.
This week is an opportunity to celebrate great advocacy and share stories about the power and impact advocacy can have in upholding people’s rights.”
How to find support
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.