Provision of an Independent Advocacy Service for Adults

South Ayrshire Heath and Social Care Partnership requires a high-quality Independent Individual and Collective Advocacy Service in South Ayrshire for adults ages 16 years and over that is: - Independent and professional - Provides individual (one-to-one) advocacy that is issue focused - Provides collective (group) advocacy that is issue focused - Provides instructed and non-instructed advocacy - Meets statutory requirements and Scottish Government priorities - Provided by skilled and appropriately trained advocates The service will follow the Independent Advocacy Guide for Commissioners and will serve persons who require advocacy under the Adults With Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. The service will also include adults seeking advocacy under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 who are: - People with mental health conditions - People with learning disabilities - People with Neurodivergent Conditions, including Autism - People with dementia The service will also cover generic advocacy for adults.

Individual Advocacy – is also known as one to one, professional or issue-based advocacy. It is provided by paid and unpaid advocates.

An advocate supports a person to represent their own interests and represents the views of the person if the person is unable to do this themselves. The advocates provide support on specific issues, and provide information, but not advice.

Collective (Group) Advocacy – A collective voice can be stronger than that of an individual. Being part of a collective advocacy group can help reduce a person’s sense of isolation when raising a difficult issue.

The group may campaign on an issue. This service will also include advocacy for persons connected with the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, with workers providing advocacy to this group based on their own lived experience. Additional information: This PIN is a request for information, the responses from this PIN will help the Council to understand the number of Providers who may be interested in bidding for a potential Contract.