Non-Instructed Advocacy (NIA) Service
What is non-instructed advocacy?
Non-instructed advocacy is advocacy for a person who has ‘either not asked for you to be there or who finds it difficult to tell you what they want’. It is a free and independent service. The advocate will establish, as far as possible, an understanding of clients’ needs, wishes, preferences and priorities. The work will focus on maximising client input into decisions about their care. This service is provided as part of POhWER’s Generic Advocacy Service, which also provides instructed advocacy services.
What can non-instructed advocacy add to the services already on offer to clients?
Advocates can add an independent, outsider view. They can ask questions that encourage a fresh look at the facilities and services available to their clients. Although they will often not know clients as well as their family or carers, they can raise issues that may be difficult for others to approach.
What about permission for non-instructed advocates to work with clients?
It is recognised that various groups of people, including some who cannot instruct an advocate, should be entitled to independent advocacy; either as a legal right (for example, under the Mental Capacity Act), or as part of ‘best practice’. Other clients who cannot access advocacy for themselves may also benefit from independent input which is entirely focussed around understanding and advocating from their perspective.
Non-instructed advocates will be aware that they do not have direct permission for their work from clients, and will often have taken a referral from a third party. They will always try to ensure, as a minimum, that the client is content with their presence when they visit.
By building up a picture of communication possibilities and following leads from clients where possible, they will often be able to take informal direction from clients who cannot formally instruct.
Because they do not have direct consent from their clients, Non-instructed advocates are supervised and supported by a line manager, to ensure that they have considered all options for their clients and continue working from an independent perspective.
Advocates’ notes will show that they have kept the issue of consent under review.
How do non-instructed advocates work with clients?
The work is issue-based and focuses on maximising client input into decisions about their life and care. For example, a client who is unable to give clear direction about a change of accommodation can often indicate by their choices and preferences the sort of place they would like to live in.
Advocates will start their work by looking at what communication abilities the client has and will plan their work with this in mind; focussing on the individual client and the issue they are to work on. They can use a range of approaches, for example, they may;
- observe the client, in various settings if possible
- interact with the client, if they seem happy for this to happen
- identify signs of acknowledgement – for example, happy/sad, yes/no
- talk with people who are important to the client
- look at the client’s rights and entitlements
- consider the client’s quality of life, and ask questions from this perspective
There will be situations where a client’s ability to participate in discussions about their care will fluctuate, and an advocate will be able to work with them through this – sometimes questioning decisions made on their behalf, and sometimes supporting them to present their own views.
Advocates recognise the limitations of their role, many clients have carers and family who will know the client far better than they can. Advocates can use the valuable insights and understanding that these people have, but must remain independent and separate from any service or other relationships.
For more infomration about the different approaches in non-instructed advocacy, please refer to the document listed onthe right hand side of the page.
Who refers clients for non-instructed advocacy?
Clients are often referred by a third party, possibly family members or care home staff. Sometimes an advocate may identify areas where they may be useful to a client following their own observations.
To make a referral, for more information about our non-instructed service, or any other aspect of our generic services, please contact us.
Contact Us
If you would like more information abour our Non-Instructed Advocacy services, please contact one of our offices and ask to speak with a Non Instructed Advocate.
Our North Hertfordshire Team covers Stevenage and North Hertfordshire, Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford, Welwyn and Hatfield, South East Hertfordshire (includes Cheshunt, Ware, Hoddesdon).
Contact the North Team
Our South Hertfordshire Team covers St Albans and Harpenden, Watford and Three Rivers, Hertsmere (includes Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Radlett, Shenley), Dacorum (includes Hemel Hempstead, Tring, Berkhamsted, Kings Langley).
Contact the South Team
Referrals
To make a referral to our services please complete the referral form
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