Purpose

The term advocacy is used to
describe the support given to individuals to allow their voice to
be heard and their wishes to be expressed in situations where they
may be unable to do this fully by themselves. Advocates and
advocacy providers work in partnership with the people they support
and promote social inclusion and equality. Statutory advocacy
supports people who due to a disability, health condition,
communication difficulty, financial circumstances or social
attitudes, find themselves in a position where their ability to
exercise choice or represent their own interests is limited, or
where processes are particularly complex to navigate, such as
social care and health pathways.
 
There are statutory duties for
the following advocacy provision:
 

·      
Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) and
Relevant Paid Person’s Representative (RPPR) under the Mental
Capacity Act 2005
 

·      
Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) under the
Mental Health Act 2007
 

·      
Independent Care Act Advocacy (ICAA) under the Care
Act 2014
 
The contract for the current
service was jointly commissioned in partnership with Brighton &
Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and the NHS, the
contract was extended in March 2023, Key decision
OKD65 (22/23), and comes to an end on 30th June 2025. Brighton
& Hove City Council are the lead commissioner for the
partnership arrangement. The County Council intends to seek
agreement from the Cabinet Member for Adults Services for a future
partnership arrangement for these services.
 

Decision

The Cabinet member for Adults Services has
approved West Sussex County Council (WSCC) joining the Sussex
Advocacy Partnership procurement of a new Integrated Advocacy
Services contract from July 2025 – June 2032 with Brighton
& Hove City Council (B&HCC) acting as the lead commissioner
and contract manager. The arrangement will include the procurement
and contract award by B&HCC of ICAA, IMCA and RPPR services for
West Sussex residents on behalf of WSCC at a cost of not more than
£0.369m per annum; £2.583m for the maximum contract
term.