The concise and informative handbook provides accessible advice with a minimum of legal jargon and can be used as a reference book for all those who undertake advocacy work with adults, young people and children, either in a professional or voluntary capacity.
The book describes the different types of advocacy provided to complainants and the role and tasks of the advocate, explaining the various sources of guidance for advocates who present or assist with complaints. It describes the process of how a complaint is initially made and follows through the various stages of the procedure, advising on how best to achieve a positive outcome.
The first three chapters describe the advocacy world; explaining how it fits with the legal system, and answer the general questions commonly asked by advocates who are dealing with difficult cases. The rest of the chapters go into detail about the respective complaints procedures of various organisations and areas, such as healthcare, social care, education, housing, prison, children’s services and the police. Where possible examples of cases that have progressed to higher bodies, such as Ombudsmen or courts, are included to give examples of the type of complaints that are successful. At the end of each chapter there is a helpful ‘Key points’ section.
The aim is that the advocate will be able to ‘dip into’ these chapters for advice as and when needed and use the book as a comprehensive route map for the main complaints systems in England. This should be particularly helpful for advocates dealing with complaints that may cross between different institutions, such as social care and mental health.
‘Raising concerns about public bodies can be a bewildering experience, As a result, people can easily get lost in a complaints maze when things go wrong. Advocates play an essential role in making sense of that complexity. I have seen many cases where some of our most vulnerable children and adults have only been able to make their voice heard with the help of an advocate. I therefore warmly welcome the role that advocates play in ensuring access to justice. And I warmly welcome this book, providing a practical, common sense guide to support advocates in their work.’
Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for England