Advocacy for Social Care Clients
The aim of the advocacy service is to offer assistance to the social care clients. We are entitled to the following rights -
- to make choices about our lives
- to receive the social and health services we need
- to be informed of our rights
- to enjoy opportunities in leisure and education
- training and employment
- to be different and not to suffer discrimination
- to make a complaint when something goes wrong
Advocacy is founded on the belief that people are of equal value regardless of ability, wealth or status and are therefore entitled to equal rights. Hackney social care services provide these services through a series of independent voluntary sector organisations.
In some cases these organisations provide advocacy to specific vulnerable groups within the community. For example; people with mental health problems.
Hackney social care services recognise that users of our services may need to speak to someone if they are not happy with our services. For people making a complaint about our services, the Social Services Complaints Manager will arrange for someone independent to investigate, if the complaint is not resolved before it reaches the stage two complaints process.
Service providers and partners
Our service is provided through contracted services, for example:
- Chinese Mental Health Association (Mental Health Advocacy)
- Choice in Hackney
- North East London Advocacy
- Off Centre - Hackney Young People's Counselling, Advice and Information Service
- Other organisations in who can help including Hackney Carers Centre
Welfare benefits advice
- Visit the Direct Gov website for information on benefits for carers.
- To see whether you can apply for other benefits visit the entitled to website.
- For general advice in Hackney visit COMIS
Referrals and accessing the service
See individual partners above for referrals and access information.
carers_strategy_2007-2010_-_exec_summary.pdf
Page updated: 7 May 2008