NDTi is pleased to have achieved grant funding to provide support to facilitate the Leaders in Advocacy Network. Henry Smith Charity has funded us to provide administrative and logistical support to the network and work with network members to help move towards a membership body for providers of independent advocacy.
Since March 2020, leaders in the advocacy sector have been working together, meeting every month to provide mutual support, share information that supports best practice and collaborate to address key strategic issues together. The network continues to meet and has several working groups that come together to focus on particular areas of interest, e.g. commissioning, regulation, and operational issues.
In the last eighteen months, members recognised the need to formalise the networks and have identified the need to set up a membership body that will:
- Provide an informal forum to share good practice and sector developments.
- Spaces to explore operational and strategic issues impacting the delivery of independent advocacy.
- Provide a high-profile identity to inform strategic development in the sector and develop a cohesive voice through broad-based representation.
- Be a well-recognised group to consult with and the go-to group when agencies need to engage and consult with the advocacy community.
The network is for all types of advocacy providers, not just those delivering statutory advocacy. Members set the agendas for upcoming meetings to stay relevant and timely. Not everyone can make every meeting, and that’s fine – members still get the minutes of the meetings and other communications. The monthly meetings tend to have one main area of discussion or a presentation. E.g. in recent months, we have had presentations from Healthwatch England about their research into NHS complaints, including NHS complaints advocacy, the University of Bournemouth about the role of advocacy in social care research and their upcoming research, and a presentation and discussion about the use of AI in advocacy. A task and finish group will provide oversight and support to NDTi to ensure the network evolves in the way members want.
If you want to find out more or join the network, email Advocacy@ndti.org.uk. The network will be delighted to have you join us.