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Effective Interventions Unit: Advocacy for Drug Users: A Guide
Appendix 3: Useful information sources
There are a number of useful websites and publications, some of which appear elsewhere in the text of this report, that provide further information about advocacy.
Advocacy Safeguards Agency
The Advocacy Safeguards Agency is funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department in furtherance of the Executive's commitment to strengthening independent advocacy. ASA has four key functions:
To support commissioners of services to develop independent advocacy.
To evaluate existing independent advocacy organisations.
To ensure independent advocacy is part of national policy developments.
To research the impact of independent advocacy.
Telephone: 0131 524 9380
Web:
www.advocacysafeguards.org
Scottish Drugs Forum
The Scottish Drugs Forum is the national non-government drugs policy and information agency working in partnership with others to co-ordinate effective responses to drug use in Scotland. It is the umbrella agency for all those concerned with tackling drug use in Scotland. SDF aims to support and represent at both local and national levels a wide range of interests, promoting collaborative, evidence-based responses to drug use.
Telephone: 0141 221 1175
Web:
www.sdf.org.uk
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) was set up as a result of the work undertaken by SIAA's predecessor,
Advocacy 2000 (http://website.lineone.net/~advocacy2000/) (a 3-year project set up to look at the Advocacy Movement's needs and how these could be supported in the future). It was believed that a National Advocacy organisation was required which would be solely devoted to support, promote, and defend Advocacy. The SIAA aims to:
provide information, advice and support to local Advocacy organisations
undertake training on advocacy and related issues for agencies in the statutory and voluntary sectors
and ensure the 'voice' of the Advocacy Movement is heard at a National Level to influence current and future Practice and Policy.
Telephone: 0131 455 8183
Web:
www.siaa.org.uk
National Disability Authority
The National Disability Authority is an independent statutory agency established under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform by the National Disability Authority Act 1999. NDA strives to ensure that the rights and entitlements of people with disabilities are protected.
Tel: (01) 6080400
www.nda.ie
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
The NYAS is a children's charity which offers socio-legal advocacy services to children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. They provide independent representation and advice, ensuring that the voice of children and young people can be heard in all matters affecting them.
Tel: 0151 649 8700
www.nyas.net
Other useful websites
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
CAB are probably the best known of the advice organisations in Scotland and help people deal with over 400,000 problems a year.
Whilst not an Advocacy service their online advice and guide service can give basic advice and information on a wide range of matters, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. Local offices also offer advice and help with filling in forms and can be found through the CAB website or local telephone directories.
Web:
www.adviceguide.org.uk
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