Advocacy

 Brighton & Hove Community Base, 113 Queens Road BN1 3XG Tel: 01273 234041 (office) or 01273 234040 (information line). Email: office@healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk (office) or info@healthwatchbrightonandhove. co.uk (information line). Web: healthwatchbrightonandhove.co.uk

East Sussex

Freepost RTTT-BYBX-KCEY, Healthwatch East Sussex, Greencoat House, Eastbourne BN21 3UT Tel: 0333 101 4007 Email: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk Web: healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk

When important decisions are being made about your life, like decisions about care, support or housing, you must be able to express your own wishes and feelings.

Under the Care Act, if you have substantial difficulty with communicating and do not have an appropriate family member or friend to put your views across, Adult Social Care must arrange an advocate for you when you contact the department for help with care and support.

An advocate will help you say what you want, secure your rights, represent your interests and help you to take more control of your own life.

You may find an advocate helpful if you are:

• in a situation where you feel vulnerable, discriminated against or at risk of abuse (financial, emotional, physical, sexual, psychological or institutional);

• finding it difficult to put your views across or don’t feel you are being listened to;

• feeling that you do not have support from someone who has your best interests at heart;

• facing a major life change that could mean that you will need to access support services;

• eligible for care or support services from Adult

Social Care;

• struggling with an issue and feel that you would benefit from some support; or

• involved in a safeguarding enquiry or planning meeting.

Advocates are not there to tell you what to do or to make decisions for you, but to help you express your views and make your own decisions.

East Sussex produces a factsheet called ‘Independent advocacy – Someone to speak up for you’. You can get it from Health and Social Care Connect or at eastsussex.gov.uk/factsheets

Support is also provided for people with mental health conditions.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)

If you are over the age of 16, lack mental capacity and do not have an appropriate family member or friend to represent your views, you are legally entitled to an IMCA (if decisions are being made about serious medical treatment or a change of accommodation).

In some cases, if you are in a vulnerable position, you can have an advocate even if you have family or friends who are able to help you.

Advocates are also there to protect your human rights if you have been admitted to hospital, or live in residential care, lack mental capacity and it appears you are being deprived of your liberty for your own safety. This is called Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), see page 63.

Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)

The Independent Mental Health Advocate service is for people who have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. You have a legal right to receive information and support if you are:

• currently detained under certain sections of the

Mental Health Act;

• subject to Guardianship or a Community

Treatment Order; or