A reminder that East Ayrshire Advocacy Services provides issue-based independent advocacy support therefore there must be a specific advocacy issue the person being referred requires support with. Check out our previous article for more information regarding what independent advocacy is and is not.
Our Advocacy Workers support individuals to represent their own interests or represent the views of an individual if the person is unable to do so. They provide support on specific issues and provide information, but not advice. More information on the role of independent advocacy can be found in the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance’s Principles, Standards & Code of Best Practice.
Please note we are unable to accept referrals where there is no specific advocacy issue, such as referrals relating solely to form-filling (e.g., housing applications, bus passes, Adult Disability Payment applications) as other organisations are funded to assist with these. The East Ayrshire Council website lists support services available for wellbeing and finances.
Due to continued unprecedented demand for independent advocacy support in East Ayrshire we are currently operating a waiting list of approximately 4 weeks across many of our services as we are having to prioritise referrals involving legislation. Any referrals received which do not meet our funding criteria or do not involve a specific advocacy issue will not be accepted – we will contact the person who made the referral if this is the case.
We would like to thank all of the people we support and all referrers and partners for their continued patience and understanding at this time.
