a scoping study of advocacy with older people in wales

Andrew DunningJune 2010

A Scoping Study of Advocacy with Older People in Wales for the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

Executive Summary

Aims and ObjectivesThe overall aim of the initial scoping study on advocacy has been to inform the work of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales by identifying the current context and what is in place at present - including gaps and weaknesses as well as strengths and good practice examples - and what the best opportunities are to make progress in particular areas.

The objectives of the study have been to provide:-

1. Aworkingdefinitionofadvocacy,asreferredtointheCommissionerforOlderPeople(Wales)Act(2006)

2. Anidentificationofprinciplesagainstwhichcurrentarrangementscanbejudged.

3. AnoverviewofWelshAssemblyGovernmentguidanceorregulationonadvocacyarrangementsinlocalauthorities,thehealthserviceandcareproviders.

4. Anoverviewofhowadvocacyarrangementsaremeasured,monitoredandreviewed.

5. AnoverviewoftheactionsbeingundertakenbytheWelshAssemblyGovernment,LocalAuthoritiesandothersinrelationtoadvocacyproceduresandprocessesandtheavailabilityofadvocacyacrossWales.

6. AnindicationofvariationacrossWales.

7. Informationonthenatureandtypeofadvocacybeingcommissioned.

8. Informationontheoutcomesforolderpeopleofadvocacyarrangements.

9. Anoverviewofrecentresearchevidenceabouttheoperationandadequacyofadvocacyarrangements.

10. IssuesofnotefortheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesregardingtheoperationofcurrentarrangementsaroundadvocacywitholderpeopletoformthebaseforadecisionuponwhichtofocusmoredetailedworkinfuture.

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Inordertohelptoinformitsworkonadvocacyandcomplaints,theOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalescommissionedtheOlderPeopleandAgeingResearchandDevelopmentNetwork(OPAN)atSwanseaUniversitytoundertakepreliminaryscopingstudies.ThisreportprovidesanExecutiveSummaryofthefullreportonthescopingstudyofadvocacyforolderpeople(Dunning2010).Itisacompaniondocumenttoareportonthescopingofcomplaintsandolderpeopleproducedaspartofthesameresearchproject(Lambert2010).ItalsocomplementsworkbeingcarriedoutbyonbehalfoftheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesbyAgeCymruontheproductionof Advocacy Counts 3,asurveyontheavailabilityofadvocacyservicesforolderpeopleinWales.

MethodsThescopingstudyinvolvedamixofresearchmethods,including:-

n Adesktopliteraturesearchandsecondarydataanalysisofacademicresearchpublicationsandotherdocuments;

n Aweb-basedsearchofWelshAssemblyGovernmentandlocalhealthandothercareorganisations’policiesandprocedures,evidenceofoperationandoutcomes;

n Electronicsurveysundertakenwitholderpeople’sstrategyco-ordinatorsandofficersinnationalandlocalgovernment,healthandvoluntaryorganisations;and

n Telephoneandfacetofaceinterviewswithstakeholdersinnationalandlocalgovernment,healthandvoluntaryorganisationsusingthekeyinformanttechnique.

Responsesrelatingtoadvocacygivenbycomplaintsofficersandotherparticipantsinthecompanionscopingstudyoncomplaintsprocedureswerealsoincorporatedwithin thisanalysis.

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ContextOlderpeoplemightneedadvocacyforseveralcompellingreasons,including:-protectionfromabuse;combatingagediscrimination;obtainingandchangingservices;securingandexercisingrights;andbeinginvolvedindecisionmakingandbeingheard,particularlyatpointsoftransitionincareandlivingarrangements.

Advocacywitholderpeoplehasbeensubjecttoincreasingattentionsincethe1990’sduetotheevolvinglegislativeandpolicycontext,thesupportofprogressiveprofessionals,theriseoftheadvocacymovementandtheexpresseddemandsofolderpeoplethemselves.However,whilsttherehasbeenagrowthinthenumberofadvocacyschemesworkingwitholderpeopleoverthepasttwodecades,thereremainsignificantchallengesforpolicyandprovisioninthisarea.

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Key Findings And Issues

Meanings and Models

n Definitionsofadvocacyaredynamicandsubjecttodebate.

n TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesmightdrawupondefinitionsdevisedbytheadvocacymovement(egOPAALandActionforAdvocacy)orenshrinedwithinlegislationelsewhere(egScotland).

n Thechosendefinitionshouldincorporatecomponentssuchas:-beingindependentofserviceprovision;onetoonewithanindividualolderperson/s;longtermorshortterminvolvement;paidorvoluntaryadvocates;supportedbyanadvocacyschemeororganisation;freetothepersonrequiringadvocacy;upholdingcoreadvocacyprinciples.

n Advocacymustbemaintainedasahighlyprincipledactivity.Itsbroadprinciplesareindependence,empowermentandinclusion.

n TheAdvocacyCharterdevelopedbyActionforAdvocacywiththewideradvocacymovementcontainsadetailedsetofprinciplesforpractice.

n Themainadvocacyrolesareinstrumentalandexpressive-bothareneededandvaluedbyolderpeople.

n Anumberofmodelsofadvocacyprovisionhavebeendeveloped.

n Thereisalackofspecialistadvocacyschemesforspecificissuessuchasdementia,physicalandsensoryimpairment;genericadvocacyschemesforolderpeoplewhoarenoteligibleforstatutoryservices;andpeeradvocacyprojectsrunbyandforolderpeopleinWales.

Advocacy and Legislation

n Legislationwithdutiestoprovideadvocacy,grantingpeoplerightstoadvocacyandgivingadvocateslegalstatushasbeenimplementedsince2005bywayofIndependentMentalCapacityAdvocacy(IMCA),IndependentMentalHealthAdvocacy(IMHA)andthenewMentalHealth(Wales)Measure.

n Thecurrentlegislativeframeworkremainsfarfromcomprehensiveandisonlyapplicabletoalimitednumberofolderpeoplewithinqualifyinggroups.BothIMCAandIMHAinvolvementisshortterminnatureandlimitedinscope.

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n Theselegislativeinitiativesareunderresearchedand,notwithstandingtheirrelativelyrecentdevelopment,amoresubstantialevidencebaseisdevelopinginEnglandthaninWales

n IncontrastwitharrangementsinEngland,thereisnoreadilyaccessibledatabase,dedicatedofficialorannualreportforIMCAinWales.

n RespondentstothisscopingstudystatedthatmostIMCAreferralswereconcernedwitholderpeople.

n ThenewMentalHealth(Wales)MeasurewillextendthegroupofqualifyingpatientseligibletoreceiveIMHAsupport,toincludeallpatientssubjecttotheformalpowersoftheMentalHealthAct1983aswellasvoluntaryandinformalpatientsnotdetainedundertheAct.

n AdvocacyorganisationsandotherrespondentstotherecentMentalHealth(Wales)Measurehighlightedanumberofissuesofconcernwhichpertaintoadvocacyprovisionmorewidely.Theyincludechallengeswithregardtoadvocacyprinciples,scope,strategy,funding,capacityandtraining.

Citizenship and Participation

n Acitizenshipapproachbroadensthescopeofadvocacytoincludeawiderrangeofservices,issuesandgroupsofolderpeopleascitizensaswellasserviceusers.

n Advocacyisameansofoperationalisingorputtingintopracticethecitizenshipofolderpeople.

n TheobjectiveofacomprehensiveadvocacyservicesstrategywithintheWelshAssemblyGovernmentThird Dimensionstrategyactionplanhasnotbeendelivered.

n Olderpeoplearedoublydisadvantagedasthereisnocomprehensivenationaladvocacystrategytoincludethemandnostandalonenationalstrategyforadvocacyforolderpeople(incontrastwithchildrenandyoungpeopleandothergroups).

n SecondtieradvocacyorganisationsinWaleslackorganisationalcapacitytofullyengagewiththedevelopmentofpolicyandpracticedevelopment.

n AdvocacyorganisationsinEnglandandWaleshavedevelopedamanifestocallingforanationalframeworkforadvocacy.

n AdvocacywasnotincludedintheStrategy for Older People in Wales,despiteapparentsynergies.However,somelocalauthoritieshavedevelopedadvocacystrategiesorservicesunderitsauspices.

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Human Rights and Equalities

n Humanrightsandequalitiesareacrucialpartofthecontextforadvocacyandbroadenitsconcernsbeyondthehealthandsocialcareofolderpeople.

n TheUnited Nations Principles for Older Personsdonotexplicitlymentionadvocacy,butcanbedrawnuponbyadvocatesinsupportingolderpersonswithregardstothepromotionandprotectionofindependence,participation,care,selffulfilmentanddignity.

n AdvocatesaredrawingupontheHumanRightsAct1998inrepresentingtheolderpersoninletter,decisionmakingmeetingsandothersituations.

n AhumanrightsapproachinadvocacywitholderpeoplehasbeenencouragedbytheHouseofLordsandHouseofCommonsJointCommitteeonHumanRightsandissupportedbytrainingmaterialsandopportunitiesforadvocates.

n AdvocateswillbeabletodrawupontheEqualityAct2010whichextendsthecircumstancesinwhichpeopleareprotectedagainstdiscriminationandplacesanequalitydutyonarangeofpublicbodiesandrelatedorganisations.Thisalsoallowsforawiderconsiderationofprotectedcharacteristicsincludingthepositionofgayandlesbianolderpeopleandblackandminorityethnicelders.

n TheEqualityandHumanRightsCommissionincludesindependentadvocacywithinitsstrategicprioritiesandiscommittedtoensurethatsuchadvocacyisavailableaspartofasocialcaresystembasedonequalityandhumanrights-particularlywithregardtoolderpeopleandotherprotectedgroups.

n TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesiswidelywelcomedbutrespondentssuggestthatmoreworkisneededtoraiseawarenessandclarifythenatureoftheadvocacyroleoftheCommissionerandtodeveloprelationshipswithadvocacyorganisationsacrossWales.

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Health and Social Care

n Thebroadstrategicframeworkforhealthandsocialcaresupportstheengagementandempowermentofolderpeopleasserviceusersandcitizens,andcanbecomplementedbytheprovisionofadvocacy.

n The National Service Framework for Older PeopleincludestheavailabilityanduseofadvocacywithinStandard1regardingrootingoutagediscrimination,butdoesnotrequireorresourcelocalprovision.

n Asyet,advocacyhasnotbeenformallylinkedtotheDignityinCareagenda,buthasreceivedsupportfromtheDignifiedRevolutioncampaigngroup.

n Olderpeoplewithmentalhealthproblemsmightbedeniedadvocacysupportiftheyfalloutsidethetermsofstatutoryprovision,includingthoseseekingaccesstomentalhealthservicesinthefirstplace.

n Similarly,olderpeoplewithdementiamightbeunabletoaccessadvocacyiftheydonotmeetthecriteriaforIMCAandotherstatutoryprovision,includingthoseneedingsuchsupportonanongoing,longtermbasis.

n WhilsttheNationalDementiaPlanforWalesandestablishmentofdementiaadvisersmightimproveawarenessofadvocacyservices,suchprovisionhastobeavailableandcapableofmeetingdemand.

n TheWelshAssemblyGovernment(WelshAssemblyGovernment)Statement on Policy and Practice for Adults with a Learning Disability (2007)recognisesthesignificantageingofthepopulationofpeoplewithlearningdisabilitiesandhighlightstheimportanceofadvocacyinsupportingpeopleinmakingtheirneedsknown.

n DespitetheWelshAssemblyGovernmentAdvocacyGrantSchemeforadvocacygroupsworkingwithpeoplewithlearningdisabilities,theavailabilityandsustainabilityofsuchgroupsremainsuncertain.

n Thereisnostatutoryrighttoadvocacyonthebasisofphysicalorsensoryimpairment-theprevalenceofwhichincreaseswithage-andthereisadearthofprovisionintheseareas.

n TheWelsh Vision Strategy Implementation Plan 2010-13includesadvocacyinitsobjectives.Somelocalauthoritieshavesoughttotakeaccountoftheadvocacyneedsofolderpeoplewithphysicalandsensoryimpairmentswithintheircommissioning,wellbeingandadvocacystrategies.

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n Olderpeoplecompriseasignificantproportionofcarers.Despitelegislationandpolicydevelopmentstosupportcarersinassessmentandtheprovisionofinformationandadvice,thereisnoentitlementtoadvocacytoensurethattheirvoicesareheard.

n Someadvocacyschemesworkingwitholderpeoplemoregenerallydorepresentissuesraisedbyolderpeoplewhoarecarersandthecarers’movementhasdevelopedadvocacyskillstrainingandotherinitiatives.

n Advocacycanbecrucialinmakingadecisionaboutenteringacarehome,whilstlivinginacarehomeorintheeventofleavingacarehomeduetoitsclosureorchangeofcircumstances.

n TheNational Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People in Wales(2002)requirethatserviceusersareassistedinaccessingadvocacyservices,buttheavailabilityofsuchservicesisvariableandinspectionreportsbyCCSIWdonotalwaysincludereferencetotheiruse.

n IndependentlivinghasbeenpromotedbythedisabilitymovementandWelshAssemblyGovernmenthasdevelopedcitizencentredsupportthroughdirectpaymentsandothermeans.Advocacycanhelptosupportolderpeoplelivinginthecommunitytoexercisechoiceandcontrol.

Adult Protection and Safeguarding

n Advocacyinrelationtoadultprotectionisanunder-researchedarea.

n Advocacycanbeavitalcomponentinthepreventionofandprotectionfromabuse.

n Thecurrentreviewof In Safe HandsandconsultationonthecreationofunifiedpolicyandproceduresforadultprotectionprovidesasignificantopportunitytopromotethedevelopmentofadvocacyforolderpeopleinWales.

n TheCSSIWnationaloverviewofadultprotectiongiveslittlereferencetoadvocacyandcoverageinlocalinspectionreportsisvariable.

n ThereisnolegislationonadultprotectioninWales(orinEnglandorNorthernIreland),whereasinScotlandthereissuchlegislationwhichalsoincludesprovisionofadvocacy.

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Complaints and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

n Advocacycanprovideameansofsupportforolderpeopleinmakingacomplaintandinnegotiatingthecomplaintsprocess.

n Advocacymaybepreventativeinsupportinganolderpersontoachieveapositiveoutcomebeforeacomplainthastobemadeorfindingresolutionearlyinthecomplaintsprocess.

n TheSocial Services Complaints Procedures (Wales) Regulations(2005)placesadutyontheauthoritytomakeavailabletoanycomplainantinformationonhowtocontactanadvocacyscheme,butnotadutytoarrangesuchprovision.

n LocalauthoritycomplaintsofficersandNHScomplaintsofficersacknowledgethataccesstoadvocacywouldmakecomplaintsproceduresmoreaccessible.

n Olderpeopleaged60yearsandovercomprise50%ofallcomplaintssupportedbyCommunityHealthCouncils(CHC’s).However,lessthan40%ofthetotalnumberofcomplaintstotheNHSweresupportedbyCHC’s.

n Uniquely,inPowystheCHChasbeencommissionedtoprovideIMCAandIMHAservicesaswellasCHCComplaintsAdvocacyservices.

n Therehavebeenvariationsinthewayinwhichissuesinvolvingtheabuseofolderpeoplehavebeensubjecttocomplaintsoradultprotectionprocedures.Advocatescanhavearoleinhelpingtoensurethattheappropriatechannelsarepursuedonbehalfoftheolderperson.

n Housingagencieshavedevelopedcomplaintsproceduresandmechanismsfortenantparticipationandrepresentation.However,suchrepresentationtendstobeonacollectiveratherthanindividuallevelandthereislittleevidenceofarrangementstofacilitateaccesstoindependentadvocacy.

n ThePublicServicesOmbudsmanforWaleshasidentifiedanumberofconcernsregardingadvocacyforolderpeopleinWales,includingthepatchinessofprovision;lackofaccesswithinarangeofsettingsandsituations;lackofresourcesandcapacityofsomeadvocacyservices;aswellastheneedtoraiseawareness.

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Funding and Commissioning

n Thereisageneralviewthatadvocacywitholderpeopleisunderresourcedandthatfundingfornon-statutoryadvocacyinparticularisinsufficient.

n Mostnon-statutoryadvocacyschemesworkingwitholderpeoplereceivefundingfrommorethanonesource.Whilstthiscanprotectindependenceandbringflexibilitiesinprovision,italsoentailsmoretimespentinsecuringfundingandadheringtofundingrequirements.

n Relianceuponshorttermfundingarrangementscanplaceadvocacyschemesinavulnerableposition.

n ThefundingandcommissioningofadvocacyforolderpeoplebyWelshAssemblyGovernment,localauthoritiesandhealthboardshasbeensubjecttovaryingdegreesofattentionandprioritisation.

n Advocacyorganisationshaveraisedconcernsaboutfundingbasedupon“numbermapping”ofthepopulationandcaseloadstatisticswithoutconsiderationofrurality,geographyandlanguage.

n Thereisamarkedcontrastbetweenthelegislativeandpolicyposition,fundingstatusandlevelofserviceprovisionofadvocacywitholderpeopleandthatofothergroups,particularlychildrenandyoungpeople.

n Anoverarchingadvocacystrategyacrossallgroupswouldhighlightgapsandinconsistenciesinthefundingandprovisionofadvocacythroughoutthelife-courseofallcitizens.

n Thecurrenteconomicclimate,publicservicecutsanduncertaintysurroundingthecontinuinglevelsoffundingthroughtheStrategy for Older People in Wales,hasheightenedconcernsthatadvocacyoutsidestatutoryobligation,oroutsideverytightprioritisationsetbystatutorybodies,willnotbecommissioned.

n Widerbenefitsofadvocacycouldbehighlighted,includingitsroleinhelpingtomeetWelshAssemblyGovernmentobjectivesofcitizenship,empowermentandinclusion;supportingimprovementsinpersoncentredcareandservicequality;andprovidingconsumerfeedback.

n Therehasbeenalackoffundingforsecondtieradvocacyorganisationstosupportthedevelopmentofadvocacyingeneralandwitholderpeopleinparticular.Incontrast,theScottishGovernmentdirectlyfundstheScottishIndependentAdvocacyAlliance.

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n AdvantAGE,theBigLotteryFundCymruprogrammeprovidesagenerousandunprecedentedfundingopportunityforthedevelopmentofadvocacywitholderpeopleinWales.However,thereareconcernsthattheinitiativeshouldnotbecomeasubstituteforasubstantiveadvocacystrategyorfundingfromstatutorysources.

Standards and Outcomes

n TheAdvocacy Counts 2survey(AgeConcernCymru2008)showedthat56%ofadvocacyschemesusedstandardsdevelopedbyActionforAdvocacy,whilsttheremaining44%usedavarietyofframeworksincludingthosedevelopedbyWelshAssemblyGovernmentandhostorganisations.

n SomeadvocacyschemeshavesoughtexternalqualitymarkssuchasInvestorsinPeople,theCommunityLegalServiceQualityMarkandPracticalQualityAssuranceSystemforSmallOrganisationsQualityMark(PQASSO).

n StatutoryadvocacyprovidershavequalitystandardssetdownbyGovernment.Thesequalitystandardswerelargelydevelopedinconsultationandengagementwiththeadvocacymovement.

n TheActionforAdvocacyQualityPerformanceMark(QPM)hasattainedwidespreadrecognitionandhassofarbeenawardedtosixadvocacyprovidersworkinginWales.

n Advocacyschemesarevariouslymonitoredandreviewedusingframeworkstheythemselvesputinplace,bytheirhostorganisationsorbyfundersandcommissioners.

n Advocacyschemescanbeevaluatedinavarietyofways,includingtheActionforAdvocacyQualityPerformanceMark,evaluativeresearchbyacademicsandconsultants,aswellasuserengagementandfeedbackinitiatives.

n Intheevaluationofadvocacy,itisimportanttomaintaincoreprinciples,toconsiderprocessaswellasoutcomesandtoavoidoverlysimplisticormechanisticmeasuresofresults.

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n Anationaladvocacyqualificationwaslaunchedin2009,aimingtoensurequalityandconsistencyinthetrainingofadvocates.ThequalificationwasdevelopedbytheDepartmentofHealthinpartnershipwithWelshAssemblyGovernmentandinvolvingadvocacyorganisationsintheprocess.

n Whilsttherehasbeengrowingrecognitionoftheneedforsuchtrainingandengagementbytheadvocacymovement,therehavebeenconcernsabouttheprofessionalisationofadvocacy,replicatingtraditionalformsofserviceprovisionandbecomingremovedfromitsmoreradicalroots.

n Advocatesandthoserunningadvocacyschemesneedsupervision,supportandopportunitiesfordevelopmentinordertodealwiththesubstantialethical,legalandpracticalchallengesanddilemmastheyfrequentlyface.

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Suggested priority areas for future work Definition

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWaleswillneedtoconsiderthetypologyofforms,keyelementsandmeaningsaspresentedwithinthescopingstudyinordertodeterminetheworkingdefinitionofadvocacyultimatelytobeemployedbytheCommission.

Principles

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesmightreasonablyutilisetheoverarchingadvocacyprinciplesofindependence,empowermentandinclusionalongwiththemoredetailedprinciplesforpracticeasdevelopedbyActionforAdvocacy,againstwhichcurrentarrangementscanbejudged.

Approach

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesshouldmaintainanapproachbaseduponcitizenship,humanrightsandequalities.Suchanapproachwidensthescopeofadvocacyandbroadenstherightsandrepresentationofdiversegroupsofolderpeoplebeyondthoseofbeingusersofhealthandsocialcarealone.

Legislation

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesshouldnotetheevolvingbutstillextremelylimitedlegislativestatusofadvocacy.TheCommissionermightconsidertheneedformorecomprehensivelegislationtomeettheadvocacyneedsofolderpeoplemorewidely.Thismightincludetheextensionofentitlementtoareassuchasadultprotection,asisalreadythecaseinScotland.

Strategy

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesshouldnotetheabsenceofnationalstrategyforadvocacyandthevariationsinlocalstrategydevelopment.TheCommissionermightconsidertheneedtochampionanationaladvocacystrategyforolderpeopleandforacomprehensivestrategyforadvocacythroughthelifecourse.Supportforsecondtieradvocacy

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organisationstoassistinthedevelopmentofadvocacyatnationalandlocallevelsmightalsobeconsidered.

Policy

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesshouldnotethatadvocacyiscontainedwithinanumberofrelevantpolicydocumentsatnationalandlocallevel.InsomepolicyareastheCommissionermightseektostrengthenthepositionorapplication,forexamplewithregardtosupportforcomplainantsorintheinspectionofcarehomes.Therecentrevisionofadultprotectionproceduresreferstoadvocacyandprovidesanopportunityforitsuseinthisfield.Furthermore,theremightbescopefortheCommissionertofacilitatethesharingofbestpracticeinpolicydevelopmentonadvocacyacrosssectors,authoritiesandorganisations.

Provision

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesmighthighlightthegaps,shortagesandvariationsofprovisioninadvocacyforolderpeople.Suchlimitationsareapparentwithinarangeofsocialgroups,situationsandsettingsaswellasbetweenlocalauthorityareas.TheCommissionermightalsoencouragetheappropriatetrainingandsupervisionofadvocatesandthemaintenanceofsuitablequalitystandardsbyadvocacyschemes.

Funding

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesmightnotonlyseektoprotectthefundingofexistingadvocacyservicesbutalsotomakethecaseforfundingbeyondstatutoryprovision-albeitatatimeofshrinkingpublicexpenditure.Furthermore,theCommissionermighthelptoensurethatadvocacyisbeingcommissionedinaccordancewithadvocacyprinciples,processesandoutcomes.CloseworkinglinkswiththeBigLotteryFundCymruAdvantAGEprogrammemightalsobebeneficialintermsofstrategicandservicedevelopment.

Research

TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWalesshouldnotethatadvocacywitholderpeopleisanunder-researchedsubject.TheCommissionermightwishtoconsidertheneedtoundertakefurtherconceptual,empiricalandevaluativestudies.Giventheprevalenceofolderpeoplewithinitsworkload,anannualnationalreportonIMCAmightbeproducedinWalesasisalreadythecaseinEngland.TheCommissionermightalsofacilitatethesharingoflearninglocally,nationallyandinternationallythroughevents,publicationsandwebpages.

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Role of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

ThereisaneedtoraiseawarenessabouttheadvocacyroleoftheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWales.TheCommissionercanbeseentoembodyapublicadvocacyrolebuttherealsoappearstobeaneedtofurtherclarifyunderstandingaboutthenatureofindividualorcaseworkadvocacybeingundertaken.Inaddition,relationshipswiththeadvocacymovementmightbefurtherconsolidatedthroughsharinginformation,networkingandjointinitiatives.Furthermore,theCommissionermightplayakeyrolein“advocatingforadvocacy”forolderpeopleinWales,amongstpoliticians,policymakers,commissioners,providers,olderpeopleandwiderpopulation.

Older People’s Perspectives

Itisessentialthatolderpeople’sviewsandexperienceshelptoshapethedevelopmentofadvocacy.TheOlderPeople’sCommissionerforWaleshasalreadyembarkeduponaprocessoflisteningandgatheringolderpeople’sperspectivesonadvocacy,withacallonthewebsiteoftheCommissionandbyothermeans.Giventhepaceofchangeandpressingnatureofmattersfacingadvocacywitholderpeople,afurthereventwitholderpeopletotheforemightbeatimelyandwelcomepartofthisprocess.Asoneolderrespondentremarked,

“ThingshavebeenhappeningforolderpeopleinWalesinrecentyears.Butwearebehindonthis.Andthis(advocacy)issomethingthatisneeded,reallyneeded.They(advocates)arejustnotavailableorknowntoallwhomightneedone.Anyofusmightneedanadvocatesometime.Weneedtogetupanddosomethingaboutitforourselvesandothers.”

Andrew Dunning CentreforInnovativeAgeing SchoolofHumanandHealthSciences SwanseaUniversity,SA28PP

a.m.dunning@swansea.ac.uk September2010

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