A new service for people who need help understanding, accessing or having their interests represented in health and social care services, has been launched.
The new advocacy service operates across Dorset including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, reducing multiple advocacy contracts to just one shared contract and provider for Dorset and BCP Councils and NHS Dorset.
The move to one provider for all three organisations, creates a more people-focused service with a single point of contact, clearer pathways for navigating the service and more flexibility to meet demand.
Advocacy is a free service for people who need help to understand the care and support process, say what they want, challenge decisions, represent their interests, and obtain the services they need. It also builds people’s skills, resilience and independence. It is funded by the council or NHS service the person resides in, whilst being confidential and fully independent of the NHS and council.
The new provider, South West Advocacy Network (SWAN), has been delivering advocacy in the southwest for many years and has recently been re-awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark which reflects the quality of independent advocacy provision.
Cllr Jane Somper, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, said: “This new contract marks a real milestone in the delivery of advocacy for Dorset residents. Advocacy plays a vital role in helping those who need it to have their voice heard, access the services they need and lead a good quality life.
“Joining forces with our colleagues at NHS Dorset and BCP Council to provide one front door to this vital service just makes sense for the people who depend on the service and for us. South West Advocacy Network has a proven record of delivering quality support to people and I warmly welcome them to Dorset.”
Individuals, family, friends and professionals can all make referrals to SWAN. SWAN will advise on whether advocacy is the right way forward or signpost to other support that best meets the person’s needs. People receiving advocacy under the previous contracts continue to be supported by SWAN.
SWAN can be contacted online at www.swanadvocacy.org.uk/dorset by email at dorset@swanadvocacy.org.uk or by phone on 03333 447928.
