Non-statutory Advocacy

Access to non-statutory advocacy will be prioritised to those people with a substantial difficultly which prevents them from self-advocating in key processes in their life where they may be left without the support to have their voice heard and to secure their rights. It is anticipated that the majority of demand for the service will be from, or for, people with a learning disability.

Non-statutory Advocacy Eligibility Criteria

A person has a “substantial difficulty” in any of the following tasks:

• understanding relevant information
• retaining information
• using or weighing up the information (as part of being involved in the key process)
• communicating their views, wishes and feelings

This could be due to a range of diagnoses, e.g., a learning disability or difficulty, dementia, autism, a sensory impairment.

The person is aged 18 years or older, or the person is aged 16 or 17 and likely to have a continuing need for the service beyond the age of 18.

The person is ordinarily resident in Camden.

Person does not have anyone else appropriate who could act as an advocate for them, e.g. family or friend, or another Camden or Islington service.

Non-statutory Advocacy Referral Information

The CIIAS may provide non-statutory advocacy if there is a decision being made, or a health, care or other issue that affects the person’s well-being. For example:

• Caring for someone, whether as an unpaid carer or a parent, including for people who have a child who is not in their care.
• Making first contact with adult social care (What Matters conversations 1 and 2)
• Raising a complaint or concern about a social care service/provider
• Access to housing and escalating any issues with their housing
• Accessing or engaging with other support or services, e.g., GP, mental health services, leisure
• Benefits issues – including support for tribunals
• Employment issues – include tribunals and disciplinaries
• Supporting parents to understand Child Protection cases where relevant.
• Understanding correspondence received from another service, including statutory services (e.g., charging-based correspondence)

Support for these people is likely to be met through volunteer advocacy provision but could be subcontracted to a partner organisation if more appropriate for the individual.

Referrals can be made by the person themselves or by a professional, e.g., social care practitioner.

See the Non-statutory Advocacy Pathway and Supporting Parents in Child Protection Cases for further information.