Independent Advocacy safeguards people who are vulnerable and discriminated against or whom services find difficult to serve, empowering people who need a stronger voice by enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions.

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) promotes, supports and defends the principles and practice of independent advocacy across Scotland. The SIAA does this by:

  • Providing a strong national voice for independent advocacy organisations
  • Supporting the growth of existing independent advocacy organisations
  • Promoting the development of new independent advocacy organisations
  • Encouraging existing advocacy organisations towards independence

Find out about the spend on advocacy in the 2009–2010 year and the number of people accessing advocacy during that period by downloading the Advocacy Map

Latest Updates

Mental Health Tribunal Guidelines for Advocates

'The role of the independent advocacy worker in the Mental Health Tribunal setting is, for me, both valuable and necessary.  During a Tribunal hearing I am focused on correctly legally representing my client and therefore rely on the independent advocacy worker to ensure that my client is following and understanding the proceedings.' - Raymond G. Fairgrieve, Solicitor.

Following discussions with the Mental Health Tribunals for Scotland (MHTS) on reports of inconsistent approaches at Mental Health Tribunals from service users, Advocates and Tribunal members The SIAA has produced new Mental Health Tribunal Advocacy Guidelines. 

Ben Baldock from Advocard talks about the advocate’s role in Mental Health Tribunals and introduces the Guidelines in this new SIAA video. 


'In the Tribunal, there is obviously a recognition of substantive rules, legal procedures and the roles of lawyers, but an important feature of the Scottish system of mental health law is that it is a multidisciplinary examination of how law and mental health interact. This is reflected in the way in which an individual tribunal comprises a general, a medical and a legal member, and the patient can be supported not only by a solicitor, but by an advocacy worker.' - Dr Joe Morrow, President, MHTS.

The document provides guidelines for Independent Advocates supporting a person, before, during and after attending a Tribunal and aims to ensure both consistent good practice on the part of the advocates and also to increase understanding for members of the Tribunals on what can be expected of advocates.

Following the development of the initial draft we worked closely with advocates from many independent advocacy organisations who regularly support people at Tribunal Hearings and MHTS Panel members to finalise the document.

As well as Advocacy Organisations, these Guidelines are available for anyone who may use advocacy in a Tribunal hearing or any voluntary sector organisations, professionals, or Lawyers working in the Mental Health field and anyone else who has an interest.


If you would like a copy, download it here or contact Lisa Brown either on 0131 260 5380 or at enquiry@siaa.org.uk.

13 April 2012

 

Call for Independent Advocacy to be available for all: Local Elections

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) would like to bring our Manifesto for Independent Advocacy to the attention of candidates for the upcoming Local Elections on behalf of Scotland’s Advocacy Movement.  We are calling for Councillors and prospective Councillors to ensure that Independent Advocacy is available for all who need it wherever they are in Scotland.

There are Independent Advocacy organisations all over Scotland, empowering people who need a stronger voice by SIAA Manifesto enabling them to express their needs and make their own decisions. They help people engage with and become a part of their communities. Over many years collective advocacy groups have played a vital role in shaping services.

We are calling for local government to ensure that Advocacy is Accessible, Diverse, Engaged and Sustainable find out more by downloading our Manifesto.

Watch our interviews with Anne and Jo to find out why this is so important
Read some advocacy case studies
Find out about advocacy in legislation 

If you would like a paper copy, or have any enquiries about the Manifesto or SIAA, please call us on 0131 260 5380 or email us at enquiry@siaa.org.uk

 

4 April 2012

 
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