Advocacy

Advocacy plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals who have substantial difficulty in being involved in care and support processes are properly supported to express their views, wishes or feelings.

Where a person has a substantial difficulty and has no friend or family member able to represent them, there is a duty to appoint an Independent Advocate to represent and support the individual and facilitate their involvement throughout a safeguarding enquiry or safeguarding adult review.  This ensures those with substantial difficulties, or lacking capacity, are supported as fully as possible in the discussions and decisions regarding their care and support.

An individual has substantial difficulty if they experience one or more of the following difficulties:

• Understanding relevant information;
• Retaining that information;
• Using or weighing that information as part of the process;
• Communicating their views, wishes, or feelings.

It is a statutory right for children and young people being supported by Children’s Social Care to have an Independent Children and Young Person’s Advocate.  This includes children and young people who are in care, those who are being supported by Child in Need Plans and Child Protection Plans, Care Leavers and those who would like to make a complaint to the local authority in regards to the service they have received.  Young people are entitled to an advocate under the care act in regards to preparing for adulthood and the transition to adult services. Having an advocate ensures that children and young people are involved in any significant decisions that may affect their lives. 

The role of the advocate is to:

• Support the individual to understand the process.
• Help them express their views and wishes.
• Ensure their rights are upheld.
• Represent them if necessary.

Advocacy in Blackpool

Empowerment is the current commissioned provider of advocacy services in Blackpool.  The Blackpool Advocacy Hub offers free, independent support to adults; children; and young people locally, supporting and empowering individuals to have their voice heard whilst navigating health and social care challenges.

The Advocacy Hub provides the following types of advocacy:

• Care Act
• Independent Mental Capacity (IMCA)
• Independent Mental Health (IMHA)
• NHS Complaints
• Relevant Persons Representatives (RPR)
• Children & Young People’s Advocacy

Click here to find out more and make a referral for advocacy.

Advocacy Awareness Sessions

The Blackpool Safeguarding Partnership's training programme now includes Advocacy Awareness sessions, delivered by colleagues from Blackpool Advocacy Hub.  Click here to find out more.