19/12/2011

New research by Action for Advocacy (a4a) suggests that up to 66,000 people could be affected by cuts to independent advocacy services. This would result in the potential for abuse in care homes like Winterbourne View to go unchallenged. Recommendations made by a4a include:

• Government should act on the recent Law Commission recommendation that the right to advocacy for disabled people should be retained in new social care law and should implement this, giving a right to advocacy to all people in health and social care settings.
• Local commissioners should consider independent advocacy to be an essential services.
• Commissioners should note that at present, funding of advocacy is failing to keep pace with demand.
• Where possible, providers should consider opportunities for greater collaboration and joint working with other local advocacy services.
• Given the current climate the role of advocacy services in safeguarding adults at risk should be researched and developed as a matter of urgency.

More information and the full report isavailable at: www.actionforadvocacy.org.uk/articleServlet