A MAP OF INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY ACROSS SCOTLAND
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this report is to map out the current situation with regard to independent advocacy across Scotland. This includes a description of individual advocacy projects, the level, source and security of their funding, and committed developments to March 2004.
"Independent Advocacy - A Guide for Commissioners" and "Our National Health - A Plan for Action a Plan for Change" (Scottish Executive 2001) levelled a challenge at NHS Boards and Local Authorities to ensure that "independent advocacy is available to all who need this support".
Planning partners in the 15 NHS Board Areas of Scotland were required to produce three-year plans by July 2001 for the development of independent advocacy. The State Hospital Board for Scotland is also included in the advocacy planning process. As this report is written, these plans are now in the last year of operation and it is expected that the next round of three year plans will be submitted to the Scottish Executive, through the Advocacy Safeguards Agency by the end of February 2004.
There have also been changes in national policy and legislation that will have a direct impact on advocacy across Scotland.
Independent Advocacy is becoming recognised as playing a fundamental part in social inclusion. In many parts of public life the need to listen to the views of people and act upon them is being given a prominence that is very much welcome. In health, education and community planning the concept of involving people fully in the decisions affecting them and their communities is being developed. Independent Advocacy is one way of ensuring that this happens, this is evident in the Patient Focus Public Involvement Framework, in the standards set by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, in the Additional Support for Learning Bill and, for the first time in UK legislation, access to independent advocacy has been cited as a "right" in the Mental Health Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003.
The new Mental Health Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003 states that any person with a mental health "disorder" has a right to access independent advocacy services. The Act places a duty on Health Boards and Local Authorities to secure the availability (to persons in its area with a mental disorder) of independent advocacy services and to take appropriate steps to ensure that those persons have the opportunity of making use of those services.
There has been new investment in advocacy across Scotland. Between April 2001 and March 2004 total statutory investment in advocacy has increased by 130% from 2,722,026 to 6,278,898.
The pace of funding continues at the same level as the previous two financial years. In this current financial year (2003/04), overall statutory investment in advocacy provision has increased by 36%. The increase in 2002/03 was 25%, and in 2001/02 35%. Investment in advocacy provided by independently constituted advocacy organisations with a sole focus on advocacy has increased by 61% on the previous financial year.
Scottish Executive guidance emphasises the importance of independence and the expectation is that investment in "sole focus" advocacy organisations will keep pace with overall investment in advocacy. It is therefore commendable that the percentage increase in independent advocacy has risen significantly from the previous financial year which only recorded an increase of 16%, and that it continues to keep pace with the overall investment in advocacy.
The level of statutory investment in individual advocacy (paid or unpaid) has increased by 53%, for citizen advocacy by 30% and for collective advocacy by 10%.
The expectation in the guide for commissioners is that different models of independent advocacy are needed. Some people need short-term individual advocacy (paid or unpaid). Other people who are at risk of exclusion and have no natural advocates may need a citizen advocate who will be partnered with them on a long term basis or for life if necessary. Still other people will benefit from collective or group advocacy where they come together with people in similar situations to plead a common cause. Commissioners need to recognise these differences when planning for, commissioning and evaluating independent advocacy.
As we come to the end of the first round of three-year advocacy plans, both the commissioners and advocacy projects are to be commended for their enthusiasm and commitment in taking forward the advocacy agenda. However, there is still a long way to go before independent advocacy is available to all who need it in Scotland.
There are still significant gaps in independent advocacy provision for children and young people, older people, people with dementia, physical disabilities and ethnic minorities. Perhaps the largest gap concerns "hidden" groups that fall outwith the major client group categories such as homeless people, people with a substance abuse problem, those leaving prison and other marginalised individuals.
In order to achieve the vision of "independent advocacy for all who need it", the planning processes in local areas need to be more effective and robust. They need to ensure that resources are targeted to independent advocacy and that the full range of stakeholders are involved in determining local priorities for how it is spent.
At a national level, Independent Advocacy is an important aspect of the Scottish Executive's modernisation of health and local government agenda for achieving better services for people.
Independent advocacy is a necessary process without which some people will have no say in important decisions that affect their lives. This is recognised at government level, as reflected in the increasing emphasis of independent advocacy in national policy and legislation across the board.
ASA looks forward to working alongside the local funding partners, advocacy providers and service users to ensure that this vision is fulfilled, and that independent advocacy provision is inclusive and continues to meet the needs of those who require it.