“Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.” (The Advocacy Charter, 2002)

From 1^st April 2015 the Care Act places a statutory duty on all local authorities to involve people in decisions made about them and their care and support, for people to be active partners in the key care and support processes of assessment, care and support planning, reviews and safeguarding. 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.

This policy sets the framework for delivery of Advocacy Services on the island. It is intended to support adult social care and health staff in their person-centred practice and to secure personalised outcomes by helping individuals, their families, friends and/or carers to:

·             speak up for, or act on behalf of, themselves or another person.

·             take action to say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests.

·             contribute their views, opinions, ideas and feelings to inform processes for continuous service improvement.