Information hub

This document sets out the principles, standards and code of best practice that underpin good independent advocacy practice.

This pack contains intersectional resources that can support you in working with members of LGBT+ community. The document includes links to intersectional support services & LGBT+ groups people can be…

SIAA Position Paper on independent advocacy organisations’ data sharing with funders and commissioners.

SIAA Position Paper on independent advocacy models citizen and collective advocacy being sustainably funded by comissioners.

The SIAA member pack provides useful information about your SIAA membership.

In this interview, we sit down with Irene Clark, then-CEO of East Ayrshire Advocacy Service (EAAS), on the eve of her retirement party after 30 years of work in the…

This poster, created by LGBT Youth Scotland, helps safeguard lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people’s human rights.

SIAA’s ‘Amplifying Impact’ Conference Report 2024

SIAA Response to the Scottish Government’s Children’s hearings redesign consultation.

SIAA Response to the Scottish Government’s Adults with Incapacity (AWI) Act Amendments consultation.

SIAA Response to the Scottish Government’s ‘Moving On’ from Care into Adulthood Consultation

SIAA’s response to the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Call for Views for Stage 2 of the National Care Service (NCS) Bill.

This document outlines SIAA’s response to the “Pre-budget 2025-26 Scrutiny – Third Sector Funding Principles”.

This document outlines the Event Code of Conduct, which applies to all SIAA events, whether they are held online or in-person. It ensures a safe and respectful environment for all…

This document compiles responses from SIAA members regarding ways they access interpretation services when needed by Advocacy Partners or independent advocates. They answered the following questions: When working with Advocacy…

This document contains the Outcomes Framework and supports independent advocacy organisations in demonstrating their impact.

SIAA’s briefing on the legal definition and components of independent advocacy.

SIAA’s briefing on the legal definition and components of independent advocacy.   A recording of a session held about the Briefing is available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/W1_08UEyveI

SIAA’s reponse to the Learning Disablities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill Consultation.

SIAA Constitution as amended by a resolution of the members on the 30th of November 2022.

SIAA Annual Report for April 2022 to March 2023

SIAA’s reponse to the Human Rights Bill consultation.

The Advocacy Map: Sustainability of Independent Advocacy in Scotland (2023) report has been published by Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) using data provided by SIAA members, who are all independent advocacy organisations and groups.

Leaflet explaining benefits of independent advocacy for service providers.

SIAA’s briefing explains that for the Human Rights Bill to be effective in bringing about the realisation of human rights for people across Scotland, independent advocacy must be included to…

SIAA’s response to the to Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation.

SIAA’s response to the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to inform their scrutiny of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. Section 13 of the Bill gives Scottish Ministers powers to make provision via secondary legislation for independent advocacy services in connection with services provided by the National Care Service.

SIAA’s response to the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. Section 13 of the Bill gives Scottish Ministers powers to make provision via secondary legislation for independent advocacy services in connection with…

SIAA’s response to the Mental Health Law Review Additional Proposals draws on the experiences and practice of our members.

This is the Easy Read of the Independent Advocacy Principles, Standards and Code of Best Practice, a key document for independent advocacy that was published in 2019 and recognises that…

SIAA’s responds to the Mental Health Law Review – Phase 3 recommendations based on our members views and comments.

The Adults with Incapacity Resource Hub provides specific guidance for independent advocates supporting Adults with Incapacity. It covers foundations and key topics that independent advocates need to understand when working…

‘Independent advocacy in action’ showcases case studies that illustrate the ‘Independent Advocacy Principles, Standards and Code of Best Practice’.

SIAA’s Manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections focuses on the following three key themes: improved access to independent advocacy, strategic provision of independent advocacy, and putting independent advocacy at the heart of policy making.

A new briefing, published by the Human Rights Consortium Scotland and SIAA, lays out the case for incorporation of the right to independent advocacy into Scots law.

SIAA’s response to the Public Petitions Committee Regulation of Non-Statutory Child Advocacy Services addresses different elements shared by the sector as a whole considering that while at present, there is no formal regulatory body that oversees independent advocacy practice in Scotland.

SIAA submits evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee on the Impact of Covid on equalities and human rights.

SIAA responds to the Scottish Government consultation on raising the age of referral to the children’s reporter. Our contribution draws on the experiences of our members and their expertise in supporting children and young people.

SIAA responds to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill based on the experiences of our members and their expertise in supporting vulnerable people – both children and adults – to have their voices heard in a range of situations relating to, for instance, justice, health, education and social security.

SIAA comments the proposed Right to Food Bill broadly supporting a new law that would tackle issues of food insecurity and address the challenges facing Scotland’s food system to make it fairer for all.

SIAA’s Submission of Evidence draws on the experiences of our members and their expertise in supporting vulnerable people to have their voices heard in a range of situations relating to,…

SIAA’s Submission of Evidence to the Alternative Children’s Rights Impact Assessment looks briefly at independent advocacy in the context of three key themes – human rights, Covid-19 and children – and highlights the need for the Scottish Government to embed access to independent advocacy for children in its response to Covid-19.

SIAA’s Submission of Evidence to the Scottish Mental Health Review primarily focuses on the right to access independent advocacy and how we believe this right could be strengthened to help enhance the rights of people using mental health services.

2013 guidance for commissioners of independent advocacy, published by Scottish Government.

SIAA responds to the independent review of forensic mental health services’ call for evidence. The review is an area of significant interest for SIAA and our member organisations, many of which deal with users of forensic mental health services on a daily basis.

Toolkit created to support independent advocacy organisations across Scotland to demonstrate the impact of the work that they do. It was replaced by the 2024 Outcomes Framework: Toolkit for Demonstrating…

SIAA’s response on ‘SNAP 2: Proposal for Scotland’s second National Action Plan for Human Rights’ draws on the experiences of our members and their expertise in supporting vulnerable people to have their voices heard and realise their rights.

SIAA Submission of Evidence to the Draft Scottish Budget Scrutiny 2020-21 provides a clear evidence-base in terms of what currently works and what needs to change in order to create a budget that meaningfully upholds human rights for equalities groups.

SIAA’s response to the Consultation on Disability Assistance in Scotland draws on the experiences of our members and their expertise in supporting vulnerable people to have their voices heard throughout the process of making social security claims.

Research report exploring self-directed support definition and its principles, as well as the role of independent advocacy.

A companion guide for independent advocates looking at how to effectively support people to secure their rights.

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2015 to 2016.

A companion guide for independent advocates supporting children and young people.

Briefing from 2016 covering the key benefits of independent advocacy and SIAA’s policy asks.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for children and young people.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for parents and carers.

SIAA Manifesto for 2016 Scottish Parliament elections.

Signposting information poster to advice and support services in Scotland (updated May 2019).

A companion guide for independent advocates supporting people getting self-directed support.

Research report exploring the value of independent advocacy and examining current advocacy provision in Scotland.

A report examining the value of independent advocacy in supporting people through the Self-directed Support journey.

Research into the impact of Independent Advocacy on the lives of older people.

Research into the impact of independent advocacy on the lives of people experiencing Learning Disabilities.

Research into the impact of independent advocacy on the lives of people experiencing mental illness.

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2013 to 2014.

A companion guide for independent advocates working with families at risk.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for people getting self-directed support.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for children and young people.

Leaflet explaining benefits of independent advocacy for parents and carers.

A companion guide for independent advocates supporting people held within Scottish Prisons.

A brief history of advocacy in Scotland.

Poems in Celebration of Advocacy by Jo McFarlane.

Report detailing SIAA members’ survey results relating to independent advocacy and the Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2011 to 2012.

Report detailing SIAA members’ survey results relating to independent advocacy and the Patients’ Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.

As part of the ten year anniversary of Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA), this report looks back at ten years of mapping advocacy provision.

Pack for training materials for independent advocacy organistions working with people affected by drug use.

A companion guide for independent advocates supporting people through a Mental Health Tribunal process.

Independent Advocacy: More Demand, Less Funding. Report covering the economic recession’s increasingly negative impact on the most vulnerable.

Pack for training materials for independent advocacy organistions working with people affected by stroke.

Leaflet explaining the work of SIAA from 2011.

Leaflet explaining self advocacy.

Leaflet explaining professional, one-to-one advocacy.

Leaflet explaining peer advocacy.

Leaflet explaining non-instructed advocacy.

Leaflet explaining collective or group advocacy.

Leaflet explaining citizen advocacy.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for older people.

Leaflet explaining independent advocacy for families and carers.

A 2011 report looking at funding opportunities for independent advocacy organisations.

Stories about independent advocacy for people affected by stroke. Published in partnership with the Stroke Association Scotland.

A report on independent advocacy for individuals with problematic drug use in Scotland.

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2009 to 2010.

A 2010 report into independent advocacy practice and provision for older people in Scotland.

This document sets out a framework for evaluating advocacy practice. Advocacy organisations are encouraged to measure their practice using the self-evaluation tool. This document is supplemented by the updated Principles,…

2013 guidance for commissioners of independent advocacy. Published by Scottish Government.

Literature review of independent advocacy and survivors of stroke.

A companion guide for independent advocates working with an older person experiencing abuse.

A companion guide for independent advocates supporting people who lack the capacity to instruct an independent advocate.

Stories about independent advocacy

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2007 to 2008.

A map of independent advocacy across Scotland from 2003 to 2004. Published by Advocacy Safeguards Agency (2004).