ADVOCACY SERVICE

1. ADVOCACY SERVICE Presentation to the Learning Disability Partnership Board By Joe Apea

2. The Partnership Board outcomes The partnership Board set 3 things that were to happen about advocacy. These were: • That advocacy services and commissioners could show that the needs of people with a learning disability had been met. This includes people from Black and minority ethnic communities and people with complex needs.

3. The Partnership Board outcomes 2. That advocacy services and commissioners could show that the needs of family carers of people with learning disabilities. This includes people with a learning disability who are also carers or parents themselves.

4. The Partnership Board outcomes • That people who use advocacy services say that most of the problems are sorted out and that they had more choice and control about their support. We think we have achieved one of these things so we have a mixture of orange and green thumbs.

5. The Partnership Board outcomes • We want to tell you now about some of the things that we have done and some of the things that happen now.

6. Everyone can use the Advocacy service and it is in one place not lots of different places

7. There is just one telephone number to get through to the advocacy service

8. It is clear who can get the service and if they can’t they will go on a waiting list or be signposted

9. The new service is cheaper to run as it is all in one place

10. Everybody who works in the advocacy service works in the same way

11. Staff can help each other so that more people can be listened to and helped

12. It is easier to check what things are working when it is in one place

13. The staff that work in advocacy have had the same training to do similar work

14. Staff who have the same skills to support people with learning difficulties

15. Staff who have the skills to help other disabled people

16. Involving people who use advocacy to make the service better for all

17. Same advocacy standards for all This means the same training for all staff

18. A service that meets the needs of people with learning disabilities

19. Train and employ people with learning disabilities

20. Manage waiting lists so that people know what is happening when they are waiting for an advocate

21. Good customer service that makes sure people only have to say their name and address and what they want help with once

22. Same advocacy standards for all customers

23. Work well with the Centre for Independent Living (CIL) so that people can be helped quickly

24. Help people to speak up for themselves

25. Any questions?

26. Thank you