People who use social care services provided by the local authority may at times require the services of a professional advocate to deal with a specific issue or concern.
Legislation and good practice guidance require local authorities to ensure the provision of independent advocacy services for people who may be in a vulnerable position and unable to represent their own interests for a number of reasons.
Professional advocacy is defined as “independent professional advocacy, provided by both paid and unpaid advocates, aiming to:
-
support people to represent their own interests
-
represent the views of individuals if the person is unable to do this themselves
-
provide support on specific issues
-
provide information not advice.”
If you need help or support from someone who is independent from Falkirk Council, then there are a number of services within Falkirk which may be able to help you:
Forth Valley Advocacy
Forth Valley Advocacy provides advocacy services to people with mental ill health, older people and children and young people. They are there to support you:
-
when talking to health or social work staff
-
get your views across
-
support you at, or preparing for, meetings
-
understand your rights
You can contact them at the following address:
Forth Valley Advocacy
1 The Bungalows
Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4SZ
Tel: 01324 557070
Central Advocacy Partners
Central Advocacy Partners (previously known as Advocacy into Action) provides a range of independent advocacy services to people with learning disabilities across Forth Valley including Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire areas.
They do this by listening, giving people a voice and helping them defend their rights.
You can contact them at the following address:
Central Advocacy Partners
27 West Bridge Street
Falkirk
FK1 5RJ
Tel: 01324 633321”
Web: advocacyintoaction.org|
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) promotes, supports and defends the principles and practice of independent advocacy across Scotland. The SIAA does this by:
-
providing a strong national voice for independent advocacy organisations
-
supporting the growth of existing independent advocacy organisations
-
promoting the development of new independent advocacy organisations
-
encouraging existing advocacy organisations towards independence.
National Services
The SIAA produce easy to read leaflets about the SIAA, different types of advocacy and guides for advocacy users and any interested parties. These can be downloaded by using the associated link.
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
Melrose House
69a George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2JG
Tel: 0131 260 5380
Web: siaa.org.uk|