Hertfordshire County Council funds independent advocacy services to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens can have their voices heard in conversations about their care and support and to promote individual choice and control in decisions that will affect their future.
Advocacy services in Hertfordshire are provided by a range of organisations, working together in partnership, with each other and the Council. You may recognise:
- People Of here Want Equal Rights (POhWER) – Adult Disability advocacy for individuals between the ages of 18 – 65 years.
- Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS) – Older People advocacy for individuals aged 65 years +
- VoiceAbility – Mental Health advocacy.
These services deliver both statutory and non- statutory advocacy including Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA), Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICAS) and Community Advocacy, all services are independent and currently free of charge.
The current contracts finish in June 2024 and the Council is reviewing the advocacy services available to the citizens of Hertfordshire to inform future arrangements.
We want to hear from you as it is equally important that the new services are shaped by a broad range of people across the county.
You can join the conversation by:
- completing a professional’s survey (for all professionals in Hertfordshire), https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/5LYN53/
- completing a public survey (for all residents of Hertfordshire), https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/A3HO6C/
- attending an online workshop. Details of how to take part are on the final page of each survey (there are separate workshops for professionals and residents).
Please share this email with your networks and the people you support to maximise engagement.