Advocacy in Fife
Get support with your health, social care, and wellbeing
If you live in Fife, our advocacy service can support you to understand your rights and have your voice heard.
Vulnerable people, 16+ years, who are affected by disability, chronic illness or mental disorder, and unable to safeguard their own well-being, rights, care or other interest.
Children <16 years, subject to compulsory measures under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, or are the subject of a Welfare Guardianship application, under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 200.
An advocate can help you to:
- understand information about your rights, and options
- ask questions so you can say what you want
- have your voice heard and represent yourself
- be fully involved in decisions about your health, social care, and wellbeing
Make a self referral
If you are making a referral for yourself, please fill in this form to request and advocate in Fife
Professionals referral form
This form will be filled in by professionals making a referral, such as care workers, social workers and health professionals
Professionals referral form for children and young people
This form will be filled in by professionals making a referral, such as care workers, social workers and health professionals
What does an advocate do?
An advocate is an independent professional who supports
people to have their say, be heard, and understand their rights. They do not work for local council or NHS.
An advocate will support you throughout processes about your health, care, and wellbeing. Your advocate can meet with you in person, over the phone, or on a video call. An advocate will support you in the way that works best for you so you can understand what is happening and say what you want.
An advocate will:
- listen to what you think about what’s happening to you
- help you say what you want and don’t want
- help you understand information about your situation
- explain your options
- plan with you about what to do next
Who can refer for advocacy support in Fife
You can refer yourself.
A friend or family member can make a referral.
Professionals such as care workers, social workers and health professionals can also make referrals.
Upcoming events
Mental Welfare Commission - Thursday 7 November
The Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of everyone with a mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder.
As part of its annual visits programme, several representatives will be visiting ward 2, Queen Margaret Hospital on Thursday 7 November.
Fife Advocacy Week 2024 - Monday 28 October to Sunday 3 November
The Fife Advocacy Forum is running a number of drop in events for Fife Advocacy Week. Download the poster below for more details.
Find other local advocacy organisations in Fife
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership — survey request
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) has a strong record of supporting people to live healthy and independent lives. They have invested in services that help people to stay well and provide support when needed. They aim to continue this work, helping people to live at home in their communities. Their focus is on encouraging people to be more self-reliant, promoting independence, and making sure they use community resources where possible in order to provide care and support for those in greatest need.
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership are undertaking a review of the eligibility criteria for adults and older people’s access to social work and occupational therapy services. The criteria was last reviewed in 2015 and now needs to be updated in line with the national eligibility criteria which better reflects the current needs of the people in Fife.
Your views and understanding of the referral process, eligibility criteria, how to access support and the support available is vital. They would be grateful if you could complete a short survey and advise us as to whether there are any improvements, we could make to ensure our process is clear and transparent.
The survey can be accessed HERE or by scanning the QR code.
If you require this information in an alternative format, please let them know by contacting HSCP.ParticipationEngagement@Fife.gov.uk.
Thank you for your time.