Advocacy

If another person speaks on your behalf, they are commonly known as an advocate.

Find someone to speak on your behalf

An advocate is someone who helps you communicate what you want, understand your rights and make decisions when you need help and support at difficult and challenging times. 

Advocates do not make choices for you, but they: 

  • listen to what you want
  • explain things clearly
  • support you in meetings or when talking to professionals
  • make sure your voice is heard 

Advocates are independent which means they represent you and not organisations, such as the council, hospitals or care providers. 

Advocacy support 

Solihull Council funds statutory advocacy services for adults and parents. This page is about services for adults. You can read about parental advocacy in the Children and Families section of our website. 

Statutory advocacy means a person is legally entitled to an advocate because of their circumstances. This might be because they’re being treated under the Mental Health Act or because they lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions. It also covers certain people who are in the care of the NHS or local authority (council). 

Below you will find the types of statutory advocacy we fund in Solihull and how to request support.  

Care Act advocacy 

Care Act advocacy is for people who need help to take part in their care and support assessments and planning. 

It is provided if you find it very hard to: 

  • understand information
  • remember information
  • use information and make decisions
  • talk and communicate with people 

Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) 

For people detained under the Mental Health Act. IMHAs help people to understand their rights and participate in decisions about their care.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) 

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, IMCAs support people who lack capacity and have no one else to represent them in decisions about serious medical treatment or accommodation. 

Independent NHS complaints advocacy 

This advocacy is for people who want to complain about an NHS service or treatment they have received. The service is for anyone who lives in Solihull or people who live outside Solihull but are registered at a general practice (doctor’s surgery) in the borough. 

How to request advocacy support 

Solihull Action through Advocacy (SAtA) is an independent charity funded by Solihull Council to provide statutory advocacy.  

You can make a referral to Solihull Action through Advocacy on their website, or contact them directly by: 

Advocacy for carers 

If you are an unpaid carer looking for advice and information about advocacy, please contact Carers Trust Solihull. 

Understanding advocacy 

To discuss advocacy in person you can visit our Community Advice Hubs. 

You may also find advocacy services by searching the Solihull Directory.