Factsheet: Independent advocacy

Print page

Summary

July 2025 (FS2)

This factsheet explains how an independent advocate can help you put your views across.

Printing in Large Print

To print this factsheet in Large Print, select the 'Print Page' link.

In your print settings, increase the Scale (%) setting before printing. This may be under 'other' or advanced print settings.

Someone to speak up for you

An independent advocate is someone who can support and empower you to speak up for yourself, or they can speak up on your behalf.

They can help you explain your views if you find it hard to understand or communicate your care and support needs due to your:

physical or mental health
learning disability
sensory loss

They can also make sure your rights and needs are respected so that you can live as independently as possible.

A social care worker can do this for you. Sometimes, you may want someone who is independent. If you do, ask for an independent advocate.

It could be particularly helpful for you if:

you disagree with the outcome of your assessment, how your care package has been calculated or a decision about your care
you are involved in a ‘safeguarding’ enquiry

Different types of independent advocacy

Care Act advocate

A Care Act advocate can help you with your:

Care Act needs assessment
support planning and review
concerns about safeguarding

The advocate can help you if you have ‘substantial difficulty’ communicating and you:

find it hard to understand and retain important information
have trouble using the right information to communicate your views, wishes and feelings, or to make decisions
do not have an ‘appropriate person’ who can speak up for you. An appropriate person is someone you choose, who is not already providing care and support to you, and is not involved in any allegations of abuse or neglect towards you.

We can refer you to a Care Act Advocate if you are eligible for Council funded services.

Independent mental health advocates

If you are in hospital or live in the community and are on ‘a section’ (when you must stay in hospital or in one place to get treatment), an independent mental health advocate can help speak up for you.

Independent mental capacity advocates

If you find it hard to make decisions and do not have friends or family who can speak for you, it is your legal right to have an independent advocate who knows about the Mental Capacity Act. They can help you if you face difficult choices about moving away from your home or you need serious medical treatment.

An independent mental capacity advocate can also help if there is a chance you could face harm or abuse because of your difficulty making decisions. We call this safeguarding.

How can you get an advocate?

Contact South West Advocacy Network (SWAN)

South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) provide Care Act and independent mental health advocacy services.

Contact SWAN directly to access free independent advocacy:

Freephone: 0800 862 0995
Email: eastsussex@swanadvocacy.org.uk

Contact The Advocacy People

If you need an independent mental capacity advocate, your social care worker, doctor or nurse can put you in touch with one from The Advocacy People.

You can also contact them directly:

Phone: 0330 440 9000
Email: info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk

You can have an interpreter who speaks your preferred language or offers specialist communication support (if you are hearing impaired, deaf or blind). Advocacy services will take account of your identity and any cultural or communication needs you may have.