We are all needing to adjust to working differently and in line with Government Guidance. We’ve seen and heard some wonderful guidance and top tips for delivering advocacy services in safe, creative, socially distant and person-centred ways and will share some of these in the days to come. We know some organisations are working entirely remotely and others are continuing to undertake face to face visits where it is a) urgent and critical and b) safe. Please do let us know of any solutions you’ve identified so we can share these with others.
For now, here are a few resources:
1) https://www.voiceability.org/news/coronavirus-resources-for-advocacy
2) People First in Cumbria have developed a Coronavirus Independent Advocacy Toolkit and Enhanced Coronavirus Risk Assessment. If anyone would like a copy of what’s been produced, please email advocacy@ndti.org.uk and we will be able to share these with you.
3) The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have developed a helpful resource for UK Healthcare Professionals in relation to COVID-19 and pregnancy.
4) Rethink Mental Illness have an extensive range of information and advice regarding COVID-19 on their website, including temporary changes to the Mental Health Act
5) SCIE’s advice regarding Coronavirus and Social Care can be found here
6) Government Guidance re Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found here
7) Mind’s Guidance on Wellbeing during the outbreak can be found here
8) You can find NDTi’s response to COVID-19 here
You may know that Kate Mercer is hosting a special webinar on Monday 6th April; Coronavirus Act and Advocacy. The recording of this will be made freely available and we will share the link to this once it’s live. The webinar will look at how Independent Advocacy can respond to the Coronavirus pandemic and how it can best operate in these unprecedented times. Steve Broach, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, and leading commentator on human rights will take us through an overview of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and explain the impact of this astonishing piece of legislation on adult health and social care. Steve will then explore what might constitute a breach of a person’s human rights and offer guidance on when decisions to cut packages of care could be challenged. Kate will then look at advocacy specific issues – such as how discharge planning and other decision-making processes for people who lack capacity is likely to be affected during the crisis.