Crisis Advocacy is time limited for a specific purpose, when action need to be taken!

IA's advocacy service is inclusive of all vulnerable adults with a learning disability in Central Cheshire. 

The service will provide one to one advocacy support in a range of crisis situations where the person is experiencing change or is at risk of exclusion or harm. 

The aim is to ensure that the wishes of the person are central to the decision being made and that they are able to exercise their rights and choices as any other citizen.

Specific situations where crisis advocacy intervention may be beneficial:

Young people in transition to adulthood.
Parents with young children who are going through court proceedings.
People with high individual support needs.
People with significant barriers to communicate.
Older people whose health or accommodation needs are changing.

Range of issues we have dealt with:

Housing
Future Plans
Assessment and Review
Delayed discharge
Abuse, both sexual and financial

Legal
Health
Family
Finances and benefits
Day service issues

We believe that by giving a voice to vulnerable people, outcomes of crisis advocacy will include:

Improving personal independence for young people, enabling them to develop their own potential to make decisions.
Creating greater community participation and social inclusion.
Reducing isolation for older people whilst ensuring access to appropriate care.
Ensuring that service agencies are more responsive to the wishes and needs of vulnerable people, specifically within Housing, Health Care, Social Care, Criminal & Family courts.
Protecting vulnerable people with learning disabilities from harm by others and systems.

How to access the service?
There is a referral form with a detailed information sheet available.  
Where possible, referral forms should be completed with the person who requires the service.
Referrals are open to Care Managers, Health workers, Carers, individuals, volunteers, family members and voluntary organisations.

Click here to download the information sheet

Click here to download the referral form 

What we do ?
If the referral meets our criteria we will visit the person and check with them the issues and the outcome they are looking for.
We will work with the person to try and achieve an outcome that is acceptable to them.

Steering Group
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we are developing a steering group that is representative of local statutory and voluntary agencies, and our volunteers and individuals who access out service.

Volunteer Advocates
The project intends to recruit volunteers who will be working directly with crisis advocacy cases on a one-to-one basis.
Volunteers will be matched to individuals on the basis of geographical location, timescales, complexity of the situation and taking into account the varying skills and abilities of the individual.