🧭 Types of #Advocacy in Health & Social Care (UK – NHS/NMC/Care Act)
🔹 1. Independent Advocacy
Supports individuals to express their views, secure rights, and make informed decisions.

Completely independent of health or social care services.

Used by those with difficulty communicating or navigating services.

🔹 2. IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocate)
For those lacking capacity (Mental Capacity Act 2005).

No friends or family available to represent them.

Required for decisions on:

Serious medical treatment

Long-term accommodation changes

Ensures the person's views and rights are represented.

🔹 3. IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocate)
For individuals detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Helps them:

Understand their rights

Appeal decisions

Be involved in care/treatment planning

Can access records and attend care plan meetings.

🔹 4. Care Act Advocacy
For people struggling to understand or engage in social care processes (Care Act 2014).

Must be provided if:

Person has substantial difficulty engaging

No appropriate person to support them

Applies in:

Needs assessments

Care planning

Safeguarding processes

🔹 5. Self-Advocacy
The person speaks up for themselves.

May need training, tools, or support.

Encourages confidence and independence.

🔹 6. Peer Advocacy
Advocacy by someone with similar lived experience.

Often seen in mental health, addiction recovery, or disability services.

Builds trust and relatable support.

✅ Quick Tip (NMC/NHS context):

Advocacy means “taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests, and obtain the services they need.”