Independent Advocacy Services

This contract will cover the following services; Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) - covering the entitlement to advocacy for people who are liable to compulsory treatment under some sections of the Mental Health Act 2007 or on a supervised community treatment order. These are statutory duties under the Mental Health Act 1983, and as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007.

The procurement of this service became the responsibility of the Council as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) including a Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) service - covering the entitlement to advocacy for Service Users in specified circumstances who lack capacity and are un- befriended.

This specialist, uninstructed, issue-based advocacy was introduced in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This service may also receive additional instructed requests as part of Court of Protection processes for a Litigation Friend.

Independent Care Act Advocacy including Carers Advocacy - The Care Act 2014 requires that Local Authorities arrange for an independent advocate to be available and involved during the assessment, care planning and review processes for both Service Users and Carers who would otherwise have substantial difficulty in being involved in the process. This will ensure that no matter how complex an individual's needs are, they will receive help to express their wishes and feelings, be supported in weighing up their options and have assistance in making their own decisions.

General Advocacy - The Council also provides a non-statutory service, which compliments the above services. The aim of this service is to provide time limited, issue based advocacy to support people who are not eligible for the above noted advocacy services.