Advocacy supports people to have their say and get their views heard. Advocates can speak up for you if you can’t speak up for yourself.
Advocates will talk to you and find out more about how you feel and what you want.
Advocates will:
- listen to you
- help you to make choices
- help you get information you need
- help you write down what you want to say
- attend meetings with you if you ask them to
- speak up on your behalf but only if you want them to.
Advocates will not:
- give advice
- give their own views
- make judgements
- solve problems.
What is said between you and an advocate is private and will be shared without your permission only in exceptional circumstances. Your advocate will have a policy setting out when information will be shared without permission. You can ask them about this.
Anyone using services provided by us
If you are aged 18 years or over you can use our advocacy service if you:
People being treated under the Mental Health Act
Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) help patients understand:
- the Mental Health Act and how it applies to them
- any treatment that they might receive
- their rights under the Act.
People unable to make their own decisions
Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) support and represent people who:
- lack the ability to make their own decisions
- have no one else with the authority to do it for them.
They look at the way the decision is being made but do not make the decision on behalf of the person they represent.
See our mental capacity pages for more information.
People who are being deprived of their liberty
Under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) anyone who doesn't have someone to speak up for them can have a Paid Representative to ensure their best interests are met. This usually happens in care homes and hospitals.
See our Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards page for more information.
Advocacy in Nottinghamshire (and Nottingham City) is provided by the Your Voice, Your Choice service.
There is no charge for any of the advocacy services provided.
If you are unhappy about the service you get you can make a complaint. The advocacy service will tell you how to do this when they first begin to work with you. If you feel you cannot talk to the advocacy service about your complaint contact our complaints team.
Other useful advocacy contacts
There are other sources of support for people who may need help to speak up.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Provides a confidential listening and support service for patients and their relatives. Available to anyone using health services.
tel: 0800 028 3693
website: www.pals.nhs.uk
National Youth Advocacy Service
A national charity providing advocacy and advice to young people up to the age of 25.
freephone: 0800 616 101
text: 0777 333 4555
website: www.nyas.net
Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS)
Provided by Carers Federation ICAS.
This service supports people who want to make a complaint about health services.
Tel: 0845 650 0088
Complaints and Information Team
Support for people who want to make a complaint or comment about Nottinghamshire County Council.
Community Legal Service Direct
Free and confidential service providing independent legal advice.
tel: 0845 345 4345
website: www.clsdirect.org.uk
