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You are here: Home / How we can help /People with communications difficulties often lose out on access to the rights and services which others take for granted.
Non-instructed advocacy is advocacy for a person who has ‘either not asked for you to be there or who finds it difficult to tell you what they want’.
Our Non-Instructed Advocacy (NIA) service seeks to offer people
an advocacy service as close as possible to that offered to our generic clients.
Although we seek to echo the standards of service offered to generic clients, there are differences in working with this client group. Because these clients cannot request advocacy support themselves, we accept referrals from others who have an interest in their care.
In non-instructed work we adjust our working methods to fit with our clients' abilities and needs, so much of the early work will be observing patterns of communication and interaction. It is also important that clients are content for us to work with them - as they cannot formally give consent to our support.
After this initial work we can begin to open up an issue by asking for information from others and we hope to form a picture of clients' needs and preferences.
There will be situations where a client’s ability to participate in discussions about their care will fluctuate, and an advocate will be able to work with them through this – sometimes questioning decisions made on their behalf, and sometimes supporting them to present their own views.
Advocates recognise the limitations of their role, many clients have carers and family who will know the client far better than they can.
Advocates can use the valuable insights and understanding that these people have, but must remain independent and separate from any service or other relationships.
If you wish to refer someone to this service or yourself please complete the service referral form
If you would like to feedback to us about this service please complete the feedback form
If you would like to know more about our Non-Instructed Advocacy services, please contact one of our offices and ask to speak with a Non-Instructed Advocate.
Our North Hertfordshire Team covers Stevenage and North Hertfordshire, Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford, Welwyn and Hatfield, South East Hertfordshire (includes Cheshunt, Ware, Hoddesdon).
Contact the North Team
Our South Hertfordshire Team covers St Albans and Harpenden, Watford and Three Rivers, Hertsmere (includes Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Radlett, Shenley), Dacorum (includes Hemel Hempstead, Tring, Berkhamsted, Kings Langley).
Contact the South Team
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