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A MAP OF INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY ACROSS SCOTLAND
SHETLAND ADVOCACY
NHS Shetland
There is one local authority within Shetland NHS Board area:
Shetland Islands Council
Advocacy Planning Process
The framework for commissioning independent advocacy services is implicit in the remit of Shetland's Joint Futures Implementation Group. A new joint post of Community Care Manager has been established to take the lead in Joint Future Service Development. The post-holder reports to the Director of Patient Services and will take the lead for independent advocacy development .
The Joint Futures Implementation Group is tasked to commission independent advocacy services including the oversight of ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Advocacy Organisations in Shetland
Project details
- Independent
- Generic volunteer and citizen advocacy
- Vulnerable people and carers living on the Shetland Islands
- Catchment area Shetland Islands
Funding | 2003/4 | 2004/5 | 2005/6 | Date of Review |
Shetland Islands Council Charitable Trust | 24,000 | | | |
Shetland Islands Council (Carers Strategy Funding Initiative) | 15,680 | | | |
NHS Shetland | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | |
* Reviewed annually
Shetland NHS also provides 'in kind' support in the form of office accommodation; telephone and electricity provision; and cleaning facilities.
Total Statutory Funding for Shetland Advocacy in 2003/4
Total statutory funding for Shetland is 23,680, for all independent, individual and generic advocacy.
Gaps in Independent Advocacy
- Children and Young people
- People with a mental health disorder
Advocacy Shetland is going through a transitional period which has effected the advocacy available, however this matter is currently being addressed.
Priorities for Development
- Developing the capacity of Advocacy Shetland to continue providing a generic advocacy service for vulnerable people and carers in the Shetland Islands
- The development of advocacy for people with a mental health disorder to meet the requirements of the Mental Health Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003
- Self-advocacy for people with learning disabilities using the People First model. Initial work will be to scope the service requirement as part of work being undertaken during the summer 2003 to develop a disability strategy for Shetland
- To commission an independent evaluation of advocacy services
Conclusions
Advocacy Shetland has undergone a period of change. This period of change provides both the organisation and commissioners with an opportunity to jointly take stock and to consider how advocacy will be developed.
Advocacy Shetland has great potential to develop as a generic independent advocacy service across the Shetland Isles. It makes good sense that the Commissioners build on the capacity of the existing organisations in this rural setting.
An evaluation of Advocacy Shetland would inform Shetland's Joint Future Implementation Group of future developments and investments required for this project to fulfil its potential. An assessment of this project (as cited in the Shetland's Joint Future Implementation Group Action Plan) would determine whether the project provided added value; its capacity and potential future funding requirements.
The findings of the advocacy needs assessment commissioned in 2002 have yet to be put into action. It is probable that this needs assessment may have to be developed further if it is to inform the independent advocacy needs of those living in the Shetland Islands.
Proposals are being considered to create an umbrella group to foster the development of a range of advocacy services. This will assist the development of a creative approach for a future support framework for advocacy services.
It is imperative that Shetland's Joint Future Implementation Group continues to involve both advocacy providers and people using advocacy / potential users in the planning and implementation process.
The Shetland NHS Board is to be commended for the development of its Advocacy Procedure Protocol, which defines the concept of advocacy and provides guidance on how staff should advise patients and carers on obtaining advocacy.
All funding partners need to ensure that three-year funding agreements are written into Service Level Agreements, albeit that funding is reviewed annually.
The majority of Advocacy Shetland's funding comes from the Shetland Islands Charitable Trust. Although both NHS Shetland and its funding partner Shetland Islands Council are very much committed to the development of independent advocacy, this funding imbalance needs to be addressed and an increase in statutory funding is required to take forward the development of independent advocacy.
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