PART 6 E+WRequirements on service providers as to the standard of advocacy to be provided
Service standardsE+W
16.—(1) The service provider must ensure that advocacy is provided in a way which—
(a)enables individuals to represent their views and to have those views represented; and
(b)protects, promotes and maintains the safety and well-being of individuals.
(2) The service provider must ensure that advocacy is provided to each individual in accordance with the individual's advocacy plan.
(3) The service provider must ensure that the advocacy is provided in a way which—
(a)maintains good personal and professional relationships with individuals and staff; and
(b)encourages and assists staff to maintain good personal and professional relationships with individuals.
(4) If, as a result of a change in the individual's circumstances, the service provider is no longer able to meet those needs, even after making any reasonable adjustments, the provider must immediately give written notification of this to the individual, any representative and the service commissioner.
(5) The service provider must consider whether an individual has needs for legal or other specialist advice or assistance and take all reasonable steps to obtain that advice or assistance.
Language and communicationE+W
17. The service provider must take reasonable steps to meet the language and communication needs of individuals.
Respect and sensitivityE+W
18.—(1) The service provider must ensure that individuals are treated with respect and sensitivity.
(2) This includes, but is not limited to—
(a)respecting the individual's privacy and dignity;
(b)promoting the individual's autonomy and independence;
(c)having regard to any relevant protected characteristics (as defined in section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 M1) of the individual.
Commencement Information
Marginal Citations
ConfidentialityE+W
19.—(1) The service provider must respect the individual's rights to confidentiality.
(2) The service provider must have in place a policy about the right of individuals to confidentiality, which also includes the circumstances when an individual's right to confidentiality may be over-ridden, and must operate the service in accordance with the policy.