Being involved in discussions and decisions

It is important that you are able to express your needs and wishes, and weigh up and take decisions about the options available during assessment, care and support planning and review.

Local authorities must involve people in decisions made about them and their care and support. No matter how complex a person’s needs, local authorities are required to help people express their wishes and feelings, support them in weighing up their options, and assist them in making their own decisions.

What does an Advocate do?

An advocate is someone who can support you to speak, or speak on your behalf to make sure your views and wishes are heard so that the end result reflects your wishes.

You may have a friend, family member or someone else who you want to help you with this.

Independent Advocates 

The Council must arrange for you to have an Independent Advocate if:

- You don't have anyone else (like a friend or family member) to support you, and

- You have 'substantial' difficulty doing any of the following:

• communicating what you want to say
• understanding the information given to you, or remembering it
• weighing up the information you are given in order to make decisions about your support.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA)

If a person needs an advocate because they do not have mental capacity then they should have an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) arranged for them.

Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs)

If  a person is detained under the Mental Health Act or  under a Community Treatment Order (CTO) the Mental Health Act introduced statutory advocacy provided by Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs). This form of advocacy should be arranged by the individuals care team.