AC0861Joint Advocacy Services

Statutory advocacy for children - advocacy will be provided for children in care, care leavers, children and young people with special educational needs, young carers and those wishing to make a complaint under the Children Act 1989 (section 24 D and 26).

Statutory guidance also makes clear that the Local Authority has a duty to ensure that the views and wishes of CYP going through child protection procedures be heard and acted upon. This does not always have to be achieved through Independent Advocacy, but this Service is a key opportunity to do so.

Care Act Advocacy - advocacy that meets the requirements of the Care Act 2014 and associated regulations in supporting people who would otherwise: • experience substantial difficulty in being fully involved in assessment, care and support planning, review and safeguarding processes and • have no one appropriate or available to support and represent their wishes

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) - The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) requires local authorities to provide the IMCA service, which evaluates whether an individual's Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS) considerations are being met. IMCA's work with anyone who lacks the mental capacity to make decisions and support them, if eligible criteria is met, as part of the bets interests decision making process.

Paid Representatives under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - The MCA also requires that Wiltshire Council appoints paid officers to represent the person being deprived of their liberty (these are called Paid Representatives), in circumstances where there is no available person eligible to undertake this role. This element will be included alongside the IMCA service.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) - The duty to provide IMHA services under the Mental Health Act (1983) (MHA) was transferred to the Council on 1st April 2013. People who are detained under the Mental Health Act (other than short term emergency sections) have a statutory right under S130 of the MHA to an IMHA.