What is Independent Advocacy?

Independent advocacy should be free to its users and advocates should have no conflict of interest issues. AIA provides independent advocacy using volunteers and paid advocacy workers.  Angus Council Social Work & Health, NHS Tayside and the Big Lottery Fund financially support our work. In common with all independent advocacy organisations, we operate independently of any service provider and do not provide other ‘services' such as advice clinics or counselling sessions. A core principle is to ensure that advocates uphold and promote the rights and dignity of those whose interests they are supporting or representing.
Our advocates have undergone initial preparation training and have access to ongoing training and development opportunities. All potential advocates are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure to check for criminal convictions and provide advocacy support that should comply with Independent Advocacy's Principles & Standards and a Code of Practice that are now recognised by the Scottish Government and have been published by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (http://www.siaa.org.uk.) Independent advocacy organisations should be monitored and evaluated using these principles as a reference.

Independent Advocacy seeks to shift the balance of power and to bring out the voice of the individual by enabling them to make their own decisions and articulate their wishes. For independent advocacy to be effective advocates need to be honest and will advise the advocacy partner about realistic outcomes. Independent advocates will raise issues on behalf of our advocacy users as and when necessary in an appropriate manner, and AIA adopts a consensual approach in the promotion of independent advocacy as a concept, to help avoid it being perceived as a threat or devaluing the work undertaken by other professionals (or voluntary agencies).

Independent Advocacy is a useful tool for protecting individuals, enhancing standards, encouraging change and should be seen as complementary to, not a substitute for statutory service provision. To deny someone the chance to make decisions about their own lives renders them powerless unless we take steps to help change the status quo.  People with few connections and little access to information, or whose confidence and self-respect have been damaged, are least able to get their point across and therefore least likely to be heard.  It is important to acknowledge that although Professionals advocate for their clients, they will be working within their professional remit and will be limited by their professional responsibilities and interests.

Independent advocacy is not easy. Advocates may become involved, along with our partners, in the process of complaints or mediation, and very contentious issues such as the formal procedures of the Child Protection system. The benefit of independent advocacy to service providers has been recognised and valued. Advocacy can also help provide valuable feedback on the quality of service provision. Find out about the different models of independent advocacy.