Forensics Advocacy Service

Statutory advocacy is required when service users are legally entitled to an advocate. This applies to all inpatients in the Forensic Service and also too many community patients, due to them being subject to the Mental Health Act (1983).

For this reason, an Independent Mental Health Act Advocate (IMHA) service is provided to patients of the ELFT Forensic Service by The Advocacy Project, which is commissioned by London Borough of Hackney. If a service user has been assessed as having a lack of mental capacity in relation to making a specific decision about their lives, a best interests decision is made under the Mental Capacity Act and this is supported by an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate, as required within the Mental Capacity Act (2015), which is also provided by The Advocacy Project.

Finally, Care Act Advocacy is provided by The Advocacy Project in relation to the Care Act (2014). Additional advocacy can be provided outside the above legal frameworks.

This can be provided to all service users, whether or not the above legislation applies to them. Additional advocacy can be provided by a paid advocate or volunteer.

Many providers of statutory advocacy are able to offer additional advocacy and have the relevant skills and experience to do so effectively. Additional advocacy can be provided either on an individual or group basis, in order to support service users in being able to speak up for themselves.

This could support longer-term advocacy support and help service users in speaking out in meetings, accompanied if needed, and writing letters to raise concerns and complaints. East London NHS Foundation Trust wishes to sub-contract a provider to provide an additional Advocacy Service for the Forensic Directorate.