The Advocacy Project GLASGOW ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICE

The Advocacy Project GLASGOW ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICE (GADAS)

Our Project – A bit about us… One of the largest providers of Independent Advocacy in Scotland Registered charity commissioned across 3 geographical areas; Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire Service priorities are statutory intervention : 1: 1 advocacy (0 -5 DAYS) Enquiry Response Team: short term supports and signposting. Engagement and Involvement service; evaluation and facilitation, collective advocacy, Talking Mats Training (External funding opportunities). The Advocacy Project is a registered 3 rd Party Reporting Centre - Support to Report Hate Crime ! Membership of Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) Accreditation of bespoke Professional Practice Award qualification in advocacy Human Rights Based approach –Case Study - Scottish National Action Plan Evaluation Framework

From 1 st April – 2019 GADAS – Referral Criteria 16+ resident in Glasgow at point of referral Individuals with problematic Alcohol and or Drug use Individuals who are working with or trying to access community addiction services. Support for individuals where the primary theme in the referral issues are relating to substance use, but there may be other impairments. This can include individuals who have a dual diagnosis of Mental -ill health/ long term conditions/ disability, if substance misuse is the primary theme in the referral issues.

Rights, Respect & Recovery SG Strategy Right of Access to Advocacy Rights, Respect & Recovery SG Strategy - Right of Access to Advocacy The Scottish Government will invest in advocacy services through the National Development Fund to support the development of a human rights-based approach.

Legal basis – Advocacy Part 19, Patient Representation; Sec 259, of the Mental Health (care and treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 automatic right to advocacy Part 1, Sec 6 of Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 ‘Duty to consider importance of providing advocacy and other services’ Part 3, Powers of Sheriff; 5 a of Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 Sheriff ‘will take into account the views and wishes of adult subject to and application by a person providing independent advocacy’. United Nation’s ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ Supported decision making ; Our service is committed to taking appropriate steps to support those with disabilities to exercise their legal capacity which seeks to ensure respect for an individual’s autonomy in their life when living with an impairment or disability.

Making connections to the role of advocacy Principles /Standards of Independent Advocacy Helps adults have control and be involved in decisions which affect them Promote and protects an individuals rights Advocates are directed by the needs, interests, views and wishes of the person being supported. Advocacy services are accessible advocacy; build on an adults skills and abilities Maximise communication and participation for an adult in their affairs Independent advocacy values the people who use it and always treats people with dignity and respect

Role of Advocacy Principles of participation Ascertain adults wishes and feelings (past +present) Adult participating as fully as possible Providing the adult with information and support to enable participation Importance of ensuring that the adult is not, without justification, treated less favourably than the way in which any other adult (not being an adult at risk) might be treated in a comparable situation, and The adult's abilities, background and characteristics (including the adult's age, sexual orientation, religious persuasion, racial origin, ethnic group and cultural and linguistic heritage).

How we deliver support With consent from the individual, research their personal circumstances and have understanding of their social and legal issues methods of communication: Talking Mats, Stroke Book, Easy Read This enables advocacy to effectively represent their needs/wishes and help an adults understanding Attend meetings with the adults and assist participation in the process Individuals will be offered support to have an independent statement shared Safeguarding role; promote that the intervention is beneficial to the adult; least restrictive and respecting wishes and feelings of the adult Liaise with relevant others Develop professional and networking opportunities with key referring agencies

Our service model and response Enquiry Response Responsive, timely provision, accessible advocacy service is key Initial engagement; drop in, several apts, flexible and adaptable to accessing support. Liaising with key agencies Promotion and outreach Human Rights based approach Co-production

Welcome Pack Equalities Information Confidentiality and Public Protection Mandate Service Agreement: Priority issues, Actions and Outcomes Timescales; meetings/attendance at apt/reviewing progress of agreed actions/desired outcomes

Evidence – Indicators/Outcomes Service; Key Performance Indicators - Outcomes; how do we know ? the service agreement is only part of the evidence; we also measures against our internal monitoring system where our advocacy workers will update, record and report. Reporting/Monitoring; what are the changes? This is not only about statistics. We aim to identify and evidence the systematic barriers / highlighting the gaps and unmet need/discriminatory practices and areas of culture and practice which needs to change And … Positive stories/Highlighting and celebrating the success stories !

Funding Aims - 7 Outcomes

Reaching Out To Communities With Acute Needs The disease burden of drug use disorders is 17 times higher and alcohol dependence 8. 4 times higher in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas. Hospital Admissions 54% of drug-related & 41% of alcohol-related admissions were patients living in the 20% most deprived areas 13. 45000 Hospital admissions for drug or alcohol misuse with 93% on an emergency basis (RRR p 11)

Referral to Advocacy Adult’s personal details – Residency, contact number, DOB, and care group. All statutory referrals will receive a timely response ( currently 0 -5 days) The sooner we receive the details the quicker the response time. (Meeting/Tribunal dates provided) Consent where possible from the individual is advised (This is not always possible i. e. AWI adults) Communication needs and safety issues crucial information to be gathered at point of referral Call between 9 am-5 pm and ask for Enquiry Response – 0141 420 0961 Any issues/concerns about making a referral, please speak to a manager of the service GDPR rules apply

Evaluation Individual feedback Stakeholder feedback People who use our service/stakeholders; Closing a case – their voice, experience and story – are they will to share this – do they want to join our ‘Get involved’ database Shaping their experiences to help others and develop improvements for our services Others: family members, professionals also asked for feedback

Questions This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND