Advocacy service
What do we do?
The Advocacy Service exists to support adults who have a problem they cannot resolve themselves.
This includes:
- Home Care appeals
- Refusal of service
- Reduction of service
- Direct Payments problems
- Service delivery problems
- Blue Badge problems
- Freedom Pass problems
- Homelessness
- Access to children
- Support to attend meetings
We also provide with Mind :
Independent Mental Health Advocacy for those on community treatment orders (CTOs) and anyone entitled to advocacy under the Mental Health Act 2007, as well as Advocacy relating to treatment of mental health conditions in the community.
And with Mencap:
Advocacy specifically for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)
The service is funded by Hammersmith and Fulham Council and NHS Hammersmith and Fulham. It is free, independent and open to any adult who receives or is entitled to Adult Social Care and lives in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Who can use the service?
Any person who receives or is entitled to Adult Social Care and lives in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Who can make a referral?
- You can refer yourself
- A friend, relative, carer, or a professional can refer you.
What does it cost?
The Advocacy Service is free, you do not have to pay.The role of an Advocate
The service is funded by Hammersmith and Fulham council and the Hammersmith and Fulham Health Authority
The Role of an advocate
Your Advocate will:
- Always treat you with respect
- Listen to you without judging you
- Be on time
- Help you to find information
- Give you time to think about your choices
- Always try to find out what you want
- Help you to say what you want
Your Advocate will not:
- Give you advice or choose for you
- Make decisions for you
- Take other people’s side
- Work with you all the time
- Keep any information from you
- Break confidentiality for no reason
Your Advocate is not the same as:
- A friend or family member
- A lawyer or solicitor
- People you work with like social workers and support workers
- The service is funded by H&F council and H&F Health Authority
Will I see someone straight away?
Due to limited staff resources some people may have to wait until an advocate becomes available.
We plan that the wait will be as brief as possible.
Priority will be given where physical or mental harm may be imminent.
Those with a statutory entitlement to advocacy will be treated as priority.
How to make an appointment
You can contact us is one of the following ways:
Phone: 020 7471 8538
email: advocacy@hafad.org.uk
Post: Advocacy Service
The Greswell Centre
Greswell Street
London
SW6 6PX