What can an advocate help me with?

My local Mind has been great, often helping me to plan what I need to say in a phone call, then sitting with me while I make the calls.

Getting healthcare

An advocate can help you get the healthcare services you want and are entitled to. This might include helping you make an appointment, or prepare for one. For example, thinking about what you want to say so you can make your views known.

They can go along to appointments with you, if you'd like them to. And they can help you understand the information you've been given and work out your options.

Our page on talking to your GP has more tips to help with healthcare appointments.

My sister has acted as a mouthpiece for me when I couldn't talk to doctors or psychiatrists about things that were really disturbing me. I would never have got the help I needed without her.

Complaining about NHS services

If you're not happy with treatment or care you receive from the NHS, an advocate can help you to make a complaint. They don't work for the NHS, so they're independent.

They can also help you complain about the treatment or care of a friend or family member.

For more information, see our page on NHS complaints advocates.

Social care assessments and reviews

If your local authority is assessing you for social care, you might be legally entitled to a social care advocate.

The advocate can support you with your assessment. Or they can support you when your social care is being reviewed.

In England, advocates are provided under the Care Act 2014. In Wales, its the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act. But there are strict criteria for who is eligible. So not everyone qualifies for support from an advocate.

See our page on advocates and social care to find out more, including whether you might be entitled to support. 

Supporting you under the Mental Health Act

Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs) are specially trained advocates. They provide support under the Mental Health Act. They can help you to understand your rights and have your say in your treatment.

You may be legally entitled to support from an IMHA in some situations. For example, if you're detained in hospital under certain sections of the Mental Health Act.

Our page on IMHAs explains the different situations when you may be entitled to support from an IMHA. And how these differ in England and Wales.

Making major decisions if you lack capacity

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) are specially trained advocates that are provided under the Mental Capacity Act. 

If you lack capacity to make certain decisions, you might be legally entitled to support from an IMCA. For example, decisions about serious medical treatment or whether you're going to move into a care home.

See our page on IMCAs to learn whether you're entitled to an IMCA, and how they can help.

Housing problems

An advocate could help you get advice and support for housing problems. For example, if you have rent arrears. 

They might also be able to support you if you need to complain about your housing, such as to your local council or another landlord.

Our pages on housing and mental health have more information on dealing with housing problems and who to contact.

What questions should I ask my advocate?

It's important you feel comfortable with your advocate. And that you feel able to talk to them about your situation.

As a starting point, you could talk to your advocate about how you can work together. Let them know what you do – or don't – want them to do.

You could put together some questions to ask them, such as:

• How will I contact you, and when are you available?
• What issues can you help me with?
• What can't you help me with?
• Can you come to meetings and appointments with me?
• Can you work with me if I'm in hospital, or not in hospital?
• What records do you keep and who sees them?
• What's your confidentiality policy? What things won't you keep confidential?
• If you do something I'm not happy with, how can I complain?

Some organisations that offer advocacy will follow an advocacy charter. This sets out the main principles they work to. For example, being independent and keeping your information confidential. And having systems in place to monitor the organisation's work and to deal with complaints.

You could ask to see a copy of the charter. Or check on the organisation's website for a copy, or information about how they work and their policies.

The Advocacy Quality Mark is the UK's quality mark for organisations providing advocacy services. There's a list of organisations that hold the mark on the Advocacy QPM website.

Published: December 2024

Next review planned: December 2027

References and bibliography available on request.

If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.