Question 43
What is a care advocacy service and when do you need one?
A care advocate is an independent person who helps someone understand what is being decided about their care and supports them to express their wishes. This matters most during care needs assessments, safeguarding processes and care reviews. People who have no family or friends to support them through a formal care process are legally entitled to a free Independent Care Act Advocate. An advocate does not make decisions for the person — they make sure the person's voice is heard in decisions made by others. In the BCP area, Dorset Advocacy provides this service at dorsetadvocacy.co.uk.
If someone is facing a care assessment alone or struggling to understand what is being decided, contact Dorset Advocacy before the assessment takes place — not after.
What changes the answer
- Whether the person has family support available
- Whether the person can understand and engage with the assessment process
- Whether a statutory advocate is required under the Care Act