"Community Advocacy Service"

Whilst we apologise for any disappointment caused, we thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback. We hope to learn from this feedback and use it to improve our service.

Although people are eligible for Community Advocacy when trying to re-access Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) support having been discharged within three years, the type of support that an advocate can offer in this situation, is limited. Advocates are able to support people to re-access CMHT support by means such as providing information on how to request a re-assessment or helping with the preparation of a statement for a re-access meeting.

However, if a person has recently undergone a re-assessment with a CMHT but they have not been taken back on by the service, there is nothing we can do at his stage apart from signposting to another organisation that may be better placed to help. I understand that this can be frustrating.

Moving forward, at the point of referral, all duty advocates will be advised to inform people in this situation that ASC is limited as to what we can do if they are not taken on by the CMHT. Advocates will be encouraged to be clear about this in the interests of openness and transparency as well as to reduce any disappointment.

I will ensure that this feedback is shared within ASC and acted upon.

Thank you.