| answer text |
<p>Community advocacy services are not a direct responsibility of the Department.</p><p>
</p><p>There are statutory provisions to allow people access to advocacy support in
specific circumstances. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 gives people who have an impairment,
injury or disability, who have no one able to support or represent them, and who lack
capacity, the right to independent support and representation. There is also a legal
right to advocacy under the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Care Act 2014. The Children
and Families Act 2014, Section 32 reinforced the requirement on local authorities
to provide information, advice and support to families who have children and young
people with a special educational need, through Information, Advice and Support Services.</p><p>
</p><p>From 1 August 2016, all organisations that provide National Health Service
care and / or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to follow the
Accessible Information Standard, which requires them to meet the information and communication
support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment
or sensory loss.</p>
|
|
