Advocacy Services

Advocacy Services to be delivered across East Ayrshire to support Service Users, Families and Carers

The council requires a Service Provider to provide a range of advocacy services throughout East Ayrshire. The service will support Service Users/Individuals to have their views and wishes heard, safeguard their rights and assist them to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

The service is expected to include, but not be limited to:

-Statutory mental health advocacy.

-Independent advocacy for adults and young people.

-Collective advocacy opportunities.

-Non-instructed advocacy where appropriate

-Support for protected groups and those experiencing inequalities.

-Partnership working with health and social care services, third sector organisations and communities.

The service will be delivered in accordance with the principles set out in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003, the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) Principles and Standards, and relevant Scottish Government policy.

The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 imposes a duty on local authorities and health boards to collaborate to ensure the availability of independent advocacy services in their area. The Act gave everyone with mental illness, learning disability, dementia and related conditions the right to access independent advocacy support.

The service must be delivered across the whole of East Ayrshire to those normally resident therein with Advocates travelling throughout the area to meet Service User/Individual's needs and may require to be delivered in people's own homes and within a range of settings, such as hospital and office settings (including day/resource centres/nursing homes, HMP Prison Kilmarnock etc).

The anticipated annual budget for the service is approximately 378k GBP which may change. It should be noted that for the last year there were 174 active cases for advocacy services.

It will be essential that the Service Provider has premises within the East Ayrshire area to ensure Service Users/Individuals can access services directly.

It should also be noted that TUPE may also be applicable.