Independent advocacy is about speaking up for, and standing alongside individuals or groups, and not being influenced by the views of others. Fundamentally it is about everyone having the right to a voice. When people are engaging with drug and alcohol services they will often experience barriers to having their voice heard in decisions about their care and treatment. Independent advocacy is therefore an important support for people using alcohol and drug services.
Medical Assistant Treatment (MAT) standards outline key requirements for providing consistent, safe and accessible alcohol and drug treatment in Scotland. The rights-based standards aim to improve access and retention in MAT, strengthen people’s participation in decision-making about their treatment, and ensure accountability. All services and organisations responsible for the delivery or implementation of alcohol and drug services are responsible in applying the standards to their work.
”All people have access to advocacy and support for housing, welfare and income needs.”
MAT standard 8 focuses on the support people should get at any point of their alcohol and drug use journey. The need for this standard derives from the structural drivers, such as stigma, mental health disorders, and the experiences of homelessness and the criminal justice system. As a result, people may find it harder to have their voice heard by services, accessing services, exercise their rights, and know where to turn to resolve issues.
Scottish Government’s Medical Assistant Treatment (MAT) standards: access, choice and support, identify independent advocacy as one of the key tools to enable people to address these barriers and have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their lives. However, the provision of independent advocacy is inconsistent across Scotland due to differences in how MAT standards are implemented and independent advocacy is commissioned. This leaves many people without the essential support they require.
The knowledge and understanding of what independent advocacy is and its role can often be unclear leaving people confused. These resources aim to bridge this gap and provide key learning for:
- Independent advocates who work with individuals impacted by substance use,
- Health and social care staff working in MAT settings,
- Duty bearers responsible for commissioning independent advocacy, and
- People, families and loved ones in what independent advocacy is and how to refer oneself to advocacy.
Key resources
Independent advocacy and Alcohol and Drugs for people, families and loved ones
This resource explains what independent advocacy is, how it can support people and how to refer oneself to independent advocacy.
* See an Easy Read version: information about and how to access independent advocacy.
This resource covers essential information independent advocates need to know when working in with individuals impacted by substance use.
This resource covers what independent advocacy is, what services need to know about independent advocacy, how to refer a person to independent advocacy and how to work with independent advocacy.
Independent advocacy Strategic Advocacy Template
This resource covers key information commissioners need to ensure appropriate provision of independent advocacy within their local authority area.
