Age Cymru launches framework for commissioning independent professional advocacy for adults
Published on 12 November 2019 11:36 AM
Age Cymru has today launched its National Framework for Commissioning Independent Professional Advocacy for Adults under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
The framework is intended to support local authorities and their partners, including Regional Partnership Boards, to meet the requirements of the Act when commissioning independent professional advocacy for adults.
It is also designed to support the development of wider forms of advocacy such as self-advocacy, informal advocacy by family and friends, and more formal advocacy by health and social care professionals as part of their everyday roles.
Age Cymru developed the framework in partnership with a strategic reference group that included representatives of Welsh Government who funded the framework and accompanying toolkit through the Golden Thread Advocacy programme, Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru, Welsh Local Government Association, heads of adult services, the NHS, and the advocacy sector.
The framework, alongside its accompanying toolkit, was launched at Age Cymru's Welsh Advocacy Conference: Promoting voice, choice and control for adults in Wales.
Speaking at the conference in Llandrindod Wells, Age Cymru's Louise Hughes said "Giving older people a voice, choice and control over their care plans is essential to upholding their personal well-being and even their basic human rights, particularly those with high levels of need.
"We hope that this framework and toolkit will not only improve the availability of advocacy services for older people but it will also enable older people to engage actively in the development of their personal care packages. At the same time the publications will help local authorities meet their advocacy responsibilities as set out in the Act."
The conference also featured a keynote speech by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan AM.
Copies of the framework and toolkit are available to download from agecymru.org.uk/advocacy
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