Promoting and safeguarding independent advocacy

SIAA work to promote and safeguard independent advocacy (IA) which involves different strands of policy, research and influencing work.

SIAA is involved in various civil society and public sector networks and groups across key policy areas including:

  • Adult Support and Protection
  • Human Rights
  • Learning disabilities and neurodivergence
  • Dementia
  • Mental health
  • Substance use
  • Adults with Incapacity
  • Children’s hearings
  • Children’s rights

Independent advocacy is already well established in some of these policy areas but has the potential to be further strengthened and better understood by decision-makers and practitioners working in services linked to those policy areas. In policy areas where independent advocacy is less recognised SIAA work to increase awareness of independent advocacy, particularly its link to human rights and supported decision making, ultimately, with a view to widening access to independent advocacy for all who need it in Scotland.

In our work we highlight independent advocacy’s uniqueness, the value of providing different models of independent advocacy, and the components of independence. SIAA also emphasise the importance of shaping policies to support sustainable and high-quality independent advocacy provision that can measure its impact.

To shape our policy positions SIAA draws on member organisations’ expertise and experiences of providing independent advocacy to communities and individuals across Scotland. Many of our member organisations have been embedded in their local communities for decades and therefore draw on their rich history when sharing their views and explaining their impact. SIAA holds roundtables and discussions with members to inform members about current policy issues, identify emerging issues and create opportunities for engagement and participation in policy work.

As well as participating in various national working groups, forums and networks SIAA regularly provides written responses to public consultations and calls for evidence. You can find consultation responses and briefings in our information hub.

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