Additional sources of support and information
Advocacy
An advocate is someone who makes sure that other people and organisations listen to you and takes your views into account. Advocacy helps you to explain your views and concerns, use information and services and look at your options.
Advocacy is a statutory duty of Councils under the Care Act 2014. Bolton Council are presently undertaking a review of the current advocacy structure. The advocacy services are integral pieces to providing support within the local community for those who have health and social care needs (comprising with learning difficulties, mental health problems, physical and sensory, autistic spectrum conditions and older people). At present, Bolton Council operates two separate advocacy programmes, one for adults and another for children.
The local authority has a separate duty to provide an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) in safeguarding enquiries if someone lacks the capacity to fully participate and they are unbefriended, or where there concerns about the person befriended. An adult with dementia, significant learning disability, a brain injury or mental ill health is likely to need an IMCA. The IMCA role is to support and represent the adult at risk of abuse and neglect where necessary and appropriate in the decision-making process and to ensure that the MCA is being followed. The IMCA is not the decision-maker. Further information can be found on the Bolton Council website - Advocacy Review – Bolton Council, Young people leaving care - Local Offer – Bolton Council
Further information for safeguarding professionals’ visit: Information for safeguarding professionals – Bolton Council. You can also visit Carers information and services – Bolton Council and Assessing your social care need – Bolton Council
VoiceAbility | Free service supports adults in Bolton launched a new service to support adults in Bolton with health, care and wellbeing. This advocacy supports Bolton people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing. This includes providing independent support for people who have been detained under the Mental Health Act, for people deprived of their liberty in a care home or hospital, and for decisions about care and support. For more information, visit: VoiceAbility | Bolton. To make a referral visit: VoiceAbility | Make a referral
Email: helpline@voiceability.org
Telephone: 0300 303 1660
MhIST is Mental Health Independent Support Team working with our communities to give the best mental health support we can since 1992. MhIST provide a safe and friendly place where you can work at your own pace to start your journey towards positive mental wellbeing. Email - help@mhist.co.uk or call 01204 527 200,
07800 000 396
