Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, Independent Mental Health Advocate and Relevant Paid Service

As part of its Think Family 2020 Strategy, the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) has set out a clear vision for families to be safe, well, independent and resilient.

To support the delivery of this vision, and in line with its statutory responsibilities, the Council intends to commission specialist Independent Mental Capacity (IMCA), Paid Relevant Representative (RPR) and Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) services to be delivered on an individual basis with service uses. The service model will be one of a single contract with two separate lots. Providers may form partnerships or consortia to bid for the contract.

Advocacy is usually defined as a process or intervention that ensures vulnerable people have a voice. Mental illness and lack of mental capacity can mean that individuals can find it difficult to speak up for themselves and be heard. This impact upon decision-making and the opportunities to exercise choice that can result in marginalisation and social exclusion.

This commission covers three closely related services

• The IMICA and RPR Services - Which supports the people who may lack the capacity to make critical decisions
• The IMHA Service - Which supports people with mental health disorders

The primary aims of these services are to provide independent, high-quality, professional support to help vulnerable people to:

• Ensure their opinion is heard by advocating effectively on their behalf
• Ensure they understand their rights under the law
• Make informed choices about their care and treatment

Alongside the achievement of these aims the services will be expected to

• Ensure, through effective and efficient delivery of the service, that the Council meets its statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act and other statutory obligations in relation to the key client groups for this commission
• Develop contacts with key stakeholders (e.g. hospital teams) in order to generate appropriate referrals into the services
• Signpost people who do not meet the eligibility criteria to appropriate provision or support which can meet their needs
• Be responsive to changing levels of demand (e.g. the increased number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) by adopting creative, innovative, flexible working practice in order to maximise the service
• Deliver value for money for the tax-payer