Lewisham

London > Lewisham

From 11th February 2019, we will offer the following services in Lewisham:

• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for all qualifying patients across the borough including those within Ladywell Mental Health Unit, and those in the community. IMHA can provide support to you around ward rounds, understanding your rights whilst being subject to the Mental Health Act, how to appeal and support to attend a tribunal.
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This is a statutory advocacy service to support vulnerable people who lack capacity and need to make important decisions but have no representatives as defined under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Relevant Person’s Paid Representative (RPPR), is a service for those people (or Relevant Person) whom have been legally deprived of their liberty under the safeguards (DoLS) set out in Mental Capacity Act 2005, and have no family or friend whom can appropriately act as their representative. The role of the RPPR is to assist the Relevant Person to understand and execute their rights which includes calling a review of the DoLS, or challenging the DoLS or elements of it by accessing the Court of Protection, or by exercising them of behalf of the Relevant Person.
• Independent Advocacy under the Care Act (ICAA) for those eligible persons whom have been assessed as having substantial difficulty to engage in the Care Act processes, and also have no appropriate friend or relative that can support them to understand and engage with statutory assessments. This is statutory service created to ensure any assessment is centred around the individual and their needs and wellbeing is looked at holistically and with independent support to engage in areas such as looking at all their needs, preparing or reviewing a care plan, or support through the safeguarding process.
• Community Mental Health Advocacy is for Lewisham residents aged 18 and over and who may need advocacy support across a range of issues, and whom have a diagnosed mental health issue or are known to Lewisham NHS, or Lewisham Community Mental Health Teams.

How do I get support from an advocate?

To make a referral to the advocacy services in Lewisham, you can download the forms below:

• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) referral form
• Community Advocacy (including the Care Act) referral form
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) referral form

If you are not sure whether you can get an advocate, or for more information, advice and support in your area, you can contact us on 0300 456 2370 or email [email protected] 

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