In June 2025 we published our Provider Learning Review. This review followed a large-scale investigation into concerns of neglect and organisational abuse in a large provider of nursing and residential care in West Sussex, which is no longer in operation.
We asked our reviewer to look at the responses of services at the time and provide us with important areas of learning. When you look at the report you will see it explores several areas, including changes that were made prior to the review, such as the launching of partnership groups to consider and work together on emerging risks in providers, and the introduction of the local authority’s Safeguarding Hub to provide a single contact point to report safeguarding concerns. Our reviewer also found opportunities for further change locally, regionally, and nationally to better prevent and respond to organisational abuse.
This blog explores one specific review finding, on the need for advocacy in safeguarding. In response, we need to ensure staff are aware of what advocacy is, when to use it, and how to access it.
Advocacy is an important service but may not be as well-known as it could be. It was raised as a key issue in the review which questioned who advocates for residents who cannot rely on family support. This is particularly important for residents in residential and nursing homes who may not be able to express their views and/or may not have family members, or have family who are not able to visit regularly. This is also relevant for residents who have been placed in care homes in West Sussex by other areas and who West Sussex partnership staff may not usually have contact with. The review told us that, "[it is] paramount that service users from distant funding local authorities, especially those with little or no family visitor contact, have advocacy."
So, what is advocacy and why is it important for safeguarding?
Advocacy is the act of supporting, speaking up for, or representing a person, group or cause. Advocacy is recognised as key in supporting adults in safeguarding processes; it empowers adults with care and support needs, protects their rights, and ensures that their views and wishes are heard and that practice is person-centred.
When should advocacy be used in safeguarding?
Advocacy should be used when an adult with care and support needs, who is at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect, has difficulties understanding processes, communicating their wishes and/or isn’t able to weigh up options to make decisions about their health and care. Importantly, advocacy should be considered in all instances where an adult lacks an appropriate family member, friend, or carer to represent them.
Where can you go to get advice and advocacy support?
In West Sussex, the independent charity providing advocacy services is The Advocacy People.
The Advocacy People provide free and confidential services across the South of England. They believe in a society where people feel in control of their lives and are confident to speak up, and that people who can’t speak up for themselves should have someone in their corner to speak for them. The Advocacy People provide advocacy services in a number of areas, including Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and NHS complaints. The criteria for accessing advocacy depends on the particular pathway which is required. To understand more, you can find information about the range of advocacy services offered by The Advocacy People on their website.
The Advocacy People accept referrals from professionals, the adult themselves, and from other people that know the adult. If you are making a referral for yourself or someone you know, you can use the 'contact us' form on their contact page. If you’d rather make a referral over the phone, you can call them on 0330 440 9000 during office hours. If you are a professional and would like to make a referral for someone you are working with, you are required to use a professional form which can be downloaded on the make a referral page of the website. There are a range of different forms for the different areas of advocacy. Once you’ve filled out the form, you can email it to info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk.
