Independent Care Act Advocacy
Fact Sheet
The Local Authority has a duty to consider arranging an ICAA when there is:
an adult who needs assessment
a carer’s assessment
preparation of a care and support plan or support plan for adults
a review of an adult’s care and support plan
a review of a carer’s support plan
a child’s needs assessment under transition to adult care/support
a child’s carer’s assessment under transition to adult care/support
a young carer’s assessment
a safeguarding enquiry
a safeguarding adults review
An ICAA must be arranged if the person meets the following eligibility criteria:
1. The person has substantial difficulty in engaging with the local authority care and support processes
The person must have substantial difficulty one or more of:
understanding relevant information;
retaining the information;
using or weighing up the information;
communicating their views, wishes and feelings.
and
2. There is no-one appropriate to facilitate involvement
For example, where the family live too far away and/or there are no regular visitors who could help the person be involved, or it could be that the people in the person’s life do not have the time, do not understand the process or simply do not want the responsibility.
The person’s wishes must be respected. If they don’t want to be supported by a certain person, then the local authority cannot consider that person to be appropriate. Paid staff are NOT allowed to support the individual in the process.
Even if a person has an appropriate individual to facilitate involvement in the process, they are still eligible for an advocate if:
A placement is being considered for an NHS funded stay in hospital (for a period exceeding 4 weeks) or a care home (for a period exceeding 8 weeks)
There is a disagreement between the Local Authority and the appropriate person, and it is agreed that the person would benefit from having an advocate
An Independent Care Act Advocate:
Supports the person to understand and be fully involved in the process
Communicates their wishes, views and feelings
Supports the person to take decisions and challenge those made by the local authority
Helps the person understand their rights
If appropriate, looks at relevant health and social care records
Talks to those who can help, with permission, unless the person does not have capacity
Consults the family and others if the person does not have capacity
Supports and represents the person in the safeguarding process