Statutory Advocacy

Care Act Advocacy

This refers to the support provided to individuals under the Care Act 2014 in England to help them understand, communicate, and make informed decisions about their care and support needs. It ensures that people who struggle to engage in care assessments, planning, or safeguarding processes have an independent advocate to represent their interests. 

IMCA

An IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Advocate) in mental health is a professional advocate who supports people who lack the capacity to make certain important decisions for themselves. IMCAs are appointed under the Mental Capacity Act in England and Wales to ensure that the rights of individuals who cannot make specific decisions are upheld. 

IMHA

An IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocate) is a specialist advocate who supports people detained under the Mental Health Act.

 An IMHA is a specially trained advocate who helps people understand and exercise their rights under the Mental Health Act in the UK. They provide support to individuals who have been detained (sectioned) under the MHA, are under a Community Treatment Order (CTO), or are subject to guardianship. 

NHS Complaints Advocacy 

Provides independent support to people who want to make a complaint about the NHS.

Advocates help individuals understand the complaints process, gather information, and express their concerns effectively. This ensures their voices are heard and that their complaints are investigated fairly.

General or Community Advocacy

Refers to the act of supporting and promoting the interests, needs, and rights of an individual. Advocacy is generally provided on a one to one basis and helps individuals with various challenges related to health and social care services, assisting them with navigating a system that might otherwise feel overwhelming or difficult to understand. 

Self Advocacy 

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself, make your own decisions, and communicate your needs, rights, and interests effectively. It involves understanding your strengths, challenges, and the support you need while taking responsibility for 

your well-being.  

Volunteer Advocacy 

This is people who give their time and effort to support individuals or groups who may have difficulty speaking up for themselves.

 
Peer Advocacy

This is a form of support where individuals with shared experiences help each other navigate challenges, access resources, and assert their rights. It is often used in healthcare, mental health, disability rights, and social services to empower people who may struggle to voice their needs or make informed decisions on their own. 

Group advocacy

Also known as collective advocacy, brings people together with shared experiences to amplify their voices. By uniting, individuals can exert greater influence on decision-makers and advocate for systemic change on issues that affect them. 

Informal advocacy 

The term can be used to describe the advocacy role that people’s friends and family members may take in their lives.