Our services in South Gloucestershire

Independent Care Act advocates support people to understand their rights under the Care Act and to be fully involved in decisions about any care and support they need. This includes local authority assessments, care reviews, care and support planning and safeguarding processes.

General advocacy supports people with some issues that are not covered by statutory advocacy and can include explaining rights and helping to identify options. Eligibility criteria and what advocacy can assist with varies depending on local authority and/​care provider. Where we cannot help, where possible we will try to signpost to an alternative service

Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) support people who lack capacity to make decisions about their long term accommodation or serious medical treatment and who do not have any friends or family appropriate to consult.

Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs) support people with issues relating to their care and treatment when they have been detained (sectioned) under the Mental Health Act. They also help people understand their rights under the Mental Health Act.

A Litigation Friend supports people who have been assessed to lack capacity to instruct their own solicitor in court proceedings. They will find out the person’s wishes and feelings and share these with their solicitor. They will give instruction to direct the proceedings on behalf of the person.

NHS complaints advocates support people to complain about the treatment or care that they or a friend or family member have received from an NHS service. Also known as Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA), this support is available at every stage of the complaints process.

When a DoLS authorisation is in place and there is no suitable RPR, an advocate can take on the role of RPR.