Those in our care are encouraged to manage their own affairs, make their own decisions and we must be careful not to “disenfranchise” them from doing so. On this basis they are self-advocating.
However, a person may be or become unable to exercise their rights to their best interests and a person or persons may be appointed to speak for them in their best interests. Such a person acting on behalf of another in this way is known as their “advocate” and may be a relative, friend, professional person etc.
Our policy is never to act as advocate for a person in our care because of the potential for conflict of interest. Details of a person’s advocacy arrangements are kept in the appropriate confidential file for that person accessible by senior staff authorised by the Registered Manager and only then under appropriate documented circumstances.
Breaching confidential advocacy arrangements represents gross misconduct for which a member of staff may be dismissed.