Advocacy (someone to speak on my behalf)

Advocacy helps you understand your rights, express your views, and be involved in decisions about your care and support.

If you find it hard to speak up for yourself, an advocate can help make sure your voice is heard. 

Eligibility for advocacy

You may be entitled to advocacy if:

• you have care and support needs
• you find it difficult to understand information or make decisions
• you don’t have someone else to support you

You may be offered advocacy if you're going through a social care assessment, planning your care and support, or having a review of your care arrangements.

Types of advocacy available

In Cheshire East, statutory advocacy is provided by Voiceability. They offer:

• Care Act advocacy – support during assessments, care planning, and reviews
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) – for people who lack capacity to make certain decisions
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) – for people detained under the Mental Health Act
• Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) – for people under a DoLS authorisation with no suitable RPR
• Continuing Healthcare advocacy – support for adults with complex long-term needs navigating NHS Continuing Healthcare

Voiceability does not provide health advocacy for general NHS complaints, but they do support with Continuing Healthcare.

Contact Voiceabilty

Phone: 0300 303 1660 (freephone number on all landlines and mobiles)

Email: helpline@voiceability.org

Website: www.voiceability.org

Health advocacy

If you need help with NHS complaints or health-related issues, you can contact:

• PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) – available through your local NHS Trust
• NHS Complaints Advocacy – search for local providers on the NHS website

Appropriate adult support 

If the police arrest you and think you may be vulnerable, they must call an appropriate adult to support you.

This could be a carer, relative or friend. If no one suitable is available, Cheshire East Council can provide an appropriate adult through its dedicated service.

The appropriate adult will:

• make sure you are treated fairly
• help with communication between you and the police
• Stay impartial
• ensure you are seen by medical staff
• make sure you have food and drink
• monitor how long you are in custody
• help you understand your rights
• support you in getting legal advice

They do not need to know the details of an alleged offence, — only your solicitor can offer confidential legal advice. Remember, the police can question anyone who may have useful information.

To request an appropriate adult, contact Adult Social Care on 0300 123 5010.

• Independent Statutory Advocacy Service - privacy notice