Questionnaire for people who use independent advocacy services in Edinburgh

Overview

The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership contracts independent advocacy services from the third sector. This is because we have a duty to provide access to independent advocacy services to people who need it and meet the requirements for it. The requirement for indepedendent advocacy is decided by the following legislation:

• Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
• Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
• Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) 2007
• Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.

Independent advocacy can only be provided by organisations who meet the requirements of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance. Independent advocacy is about speaking up for an individual or group and provides a means of supporting people to have a stronger voice and take as much control as possible over their own lives. Independent advocacy organisations are separate from organisations that provide other types of services.

The current contracts for independent advocacy in the city are mainly provided by two providers, AdvoCard and Partners in Advocacy. AdvoCard works in partnership with Edinburgh Carers Council and the Patients Council to deliver one of the contracts. The other main contract is delivered by Partners in Advocacy in partnership with People First Scotland.

We are now at the stage where we are re-commissioning independent advocacy services from the third sector in Edinburgh. We need to understand what’s working well, what’s not working so well and where there are gaps. We would also like to hear if you think there are any improvements that could be made to the current service.

In order to help shape the future shape of these support services, it is important that your views are taken into account. Please click the link below to complete our short survey.