Advocacy

Independent advocacy supports people – both individuals and groups – to navigate systems, such as the health and social care system or social security system, through providing information rather than advice, ensuring people’s voices are listened to and their views taken into account. and acts as a catalyst for change in a situation. 

Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, people with mental health problems have the right to access independent advocacy support. You do not have to be in hospital or under any mental health legislation in order to get this right to access independent advocacy.  

There are two types of independent advocacy: 

• Individual advocacy is when an advocate supports an individual to represent their own interests or represents the views of an individual if the person is unable to do so. It can be provided by both paid and unpaid advocates who provide support on specific issues and provide information, but not advice. This support can be short or long term. 

• Collective advocacy creates opportunities for people to get together to explore shared issues and challenge discrimination and inequality. Supported by an independent advocacy organisation, it enables groups to find a stronger voice, to campaign and influence the agendas and decisions that shape and affect their lives.  

Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, independent advocacy for people with mental health problems is free and is funded by local authorities and the NHS. 

Disabled people also have a legal right to independent advocacy to support them to navigate and engage with the social security system. VoiceAbility is the service that provides independent advocacy for engaging with social security Scotland 

You can use the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance’s find an Advocate page to locate organisations which are in your area and groups that they work with.