Understanding Advocacy in Social Care: A Guide for Families
When a loved one needs care, families are often faced with difficult choices: assessments, funding discussions, and care plans, all while emotions are running high. It’s natural to want to protect your relative and ensure their voice is heard. But the social care system can be complex, and even the most dedicated family members sometimes feel overlooked. This is where advocacy in social care becomes vital.
What advocacy means in social care
Advocacy is about making sure people receiving care have their rights protected and their wishes heard. An independent advocate doesn’t make decisions on someone’s behalf, but instead ensures they understand their options and can speak up during important processes.
For older adults and people with complex needs, the social care system can feel overwhelming. Advocates help cut through jargon, challenge unclear decisions, and provide reassurance that the person’s wellbeing and preferences remain at the centre of care planning.
When advocacy is a statutory right
Under the Care Act 2014, people in England have a legal right to an independent advocate in certain circumstances. This applies when someone:
- Has difficulty understanding or making decisions about their care, and
- Has no appropriate family member or friend to support them.
In these cases, the local authority must provide an advocate during:
- Care needs assessments
- Carer’s assessments
- Preparing or reviewing a care and support plan
- Safeguarding enquiries or reviews
The aim is to make sure the process is fair, transparent, and focused on the individual’s best interests.
When families might choose an advocate
Even when there isn’t a statutory entitlement, some families decide to involve an advocate. This can be particularly helpful if:
- There are disagreements about the level of support offered
- Funding or eligibility decisions feel unclear
- A loved one struggles to communicate in formal meetings
- The situation involves conditions such as dementia, learning disabilities, or mental health needs
In these cases, advocacy can provide peace of mind and ensure the family’s concerns are properly heard.
How to request advocacy
If you believe your loved one qualifies, you can request an independent advocate through your local authority when arranging assessments. Where the criteria are not met, advocacy is still available through charities and independent organisations, although sometimes there may be a cost.
Families should also remember that they are already natural advocates for their loved ones. But when professional independence is needed to strengthen a case, formal advocacy can make a real difference.
How Gladys supports families
At Gladys, we often meet families who feel lost in the care system. Part of our role is to guide them step by step: explaining processes in plain English, helping prepare for assessments, and building confidence to ask the right questions. And when formal advocacy is needed, we connect families with trusted services who can stand alongside them.
Because care should never feel like something done to people. It should always be done with them - and advocacy is one of the most powerful ways to make sure that happens. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
