Author – Helen Kidd, Vocal Advocacy
Published in Learning Disability Today
Advocacy plays a pivotal role in ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities have their voices heard and their rights upheld. Yet, when we think about advocacy, it’s often statutory advocacy that comes to mind.
Statutory advocacy, such as Care Act or Mental Capacity advocacy, is essential, but it doesn’t always meet the broader needs of adults with learning disabilities. This is where general advocacy comes into play—and it’s time we started talking about why this type of advocacy is just as crucial.
The latest report, Independent Advocacy for Independent Lives, produced by Social Finance and funded by The Henry Smith Charity, sheds light on a major gap in the current system and the necessity of general advocacy.
The Henry Smith Charity has provided funding to 15 advocacy organisations across the UK (including Vocal Advocacy), enabling them to deliver general advocacy services to adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. These services, rooted in person-led support, help individuals at times when they need assistance most, when statutory advocacy is either unavailable, inaccessible, or just too restrictive.
The core issue is that statutory advocacy is based on rigid eligibility criteria—criteria that many individuals with learning disabilities simply don’t meet until they reach a crisis point. This creates a significant gap in the system.
General advocacy fills this void. It is a lifeline, offering immediate, person-centered support in situations where people need help to navigate complex systems, secure their rights, or just have their voices heard. This type of advocacy isn’t limited to one specific issue or timeframe—it is continuous and can transition into statutory advocacy when necessary, ensuring that people aren’t left without support as their
circumstances evolve.
Across the UK, there are approximately 1.5 million adults living with learning disabilities, and the need for accessible, general advocacy is growing.
The data from Independent Advocacy for Independent Lives demonstrates not only the need for this type of advocacy but also its impact on public finances.
For every £1 spent on general advocacy, the government saves £12—£7 of which is saved by the NHS and £5 by local councils.
These figures underscore just how much general advocacy can save the system in
the long term.
But the reality is that the availability of general advocacy is inconsistent. Funding for these services is often sporadic, granted on a project basis, and lacks the long-term sustainability that statutory services have. Statutory advocacy is funded and commissioned by local councils, but general advocacy falls through the cracks, dependent on temporary, often grant funding rather than a long-term commitment. This inconsistency makes it harder for advocacy services to have a lasting impact, even though the benefits are clear.
What makes general advocacy so essential is the continuity of support it offers. Unlike statutory advocacy, which often ends once a case is closed, general advocacy can provide ongoing support as individuals face different challenges throughout their lives.
This means that an advocate can stay with someone through various issues, offering
a trusted and consistent voice. It’s not just about addressing a single problem; it’s about supporting the person as they navigate different stages of their lives and ensuring that their needs are met in a holistic way.
At Vocal Advocacy, we’ve seen firsthand how general advocacy transforms lives.
Whether it’s helping individuals raise safeguarding concerns, request care
reviews, change care providers, or even move homes or gain employment, general
advocacy has a profound impact. The stories of people regaining control over their
finances, speaking to the police, or having a say in their care highlight the power
of independent advocacy. Knowing there is someone on your side—someone who listens, understands, and helps you make your voice heard—can make all the difference.
| Voice of an advocate:“I’m sure we could all think of a time where we have been frustrated at a system, a process, even another person’s actions. But we have found a way through. What would have happened to us in those situations if the person we needed to speak with had spoken in a language we don’t speak or had sent us password protected information intended to help, but not the password to access it. That probably sounds outrageous, but for some people we meet, this is reality. They may be unable to speak on the phone and there is no option for face-to-face contact. They might not read lots of words but there isn’t a more accessible version of the information they need. Or far too often, they might just not be listened to. People tell us about these difficulties every day. They let us into their lives and put trust in us to help them effect the changes they want. As a general advocate we can do that, without checking for ‘eligibility’ or telling people to come back to us when things get worse. Surely, this should be the norm. People with a learning disability should know that whatever the need, there are people there to listen, to hear and to stand beside them. To know that their voice is as loud as all others and their lives equally important.” |
In fact, general advocacy often serves as a bridge to self-advocacy. As with all advocacy, the goal of advocacy is to empower individuals to speak up for themselves. At Vocal Advocacy, we’ve seen many people move from general
advocacy to becoming their own advocates, empowered to navigate the world around them with confidence, knowledge and self-
determination.
The importance of general advocacy is not just about the immediate support it provides, but also about its role in promoting social inclusion, equality, and social justice. As stated in The Advocacy Charter (NDTi 2018), advocacy is “taking action to support people to say what they want, secure their rights, pursue their interests, and obtain services they need.” It’s about working in partnership with people and
taking their side to promote inclusion. In this context, general advocacy is not just a service—it’s a human right, and it should be available to all adults with a learning disability.
The Independent Advocacy for Independent Lives report calls for a dedicated policy team within the government to focus on growing and improving independent advocacy for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. This would ensure that advocacy services are not just available, but sustainable and integrated into the fabric of society. The report outlines several key recommendations, all aimed at creating a more robust, comprehensive advocacy system that meets
the needs of those it serves.
| Voice of an advocate:“People tell us they are being treated ‘like a kid’ when they want to regain power over their own situation. People tell us they are ‘angry’, ‘frustrated’, ‘sad’ whenwhat they say is not being heard. People tell us they have ‘no choice’ or that they ‘won’t get listened to anyway’. This isn’t right. We can’t only hear the people who can complete the right form or those who have an abundance of legal knowledge to protect themselves. We can’t allow people to think they are a problem for wanting to direct their own lives. The problem is the problem, the difficulty is that not everyone can tackle things alone, the issue is that not everyone can access an advocate to support them.” |
At Vocal Advocacy, we believe in the power of advocacy to change lives. But we also
believe that we need more than just statutory advocacy. We need general advocacy for all. The findings in the Social Finance report provide clear, compelling evidence that general advocacy works, saves money, and, most importantly, improves the lives of people with learning disabilities across the UK. It’s time we invest in this essential service to ensure that every adult with a learning disability has the support they need to live independent lives. The case for general advocacy is clear: it’s
essential for empowering adults with learning disabilities, ensuring their rights are upheld, and providing the support they need to live independent, fulfilling lives.
However, the future of this vital service relies on more than just awareness. It requires action. We must push for sustainable funding, advocate for policy changes, and ensure that general advocacy becomes an integral part of our societal fabric.
If you believe in the power of advocacy to change lives, now is the time to stand with those who need it most. Get involved, raise awareness, and help create a future where every adult with a learning disability has the advocacy support they deserve.
Together, we can make sure their voices are heard, their rights are respected, and
their lives are empowered.
“At Vocal Advocacy, we’ve seen firsthand how general advocacy transforms lives.”
Need support? We’re here to listen.
Whether you need an advocate, support in court, or access to one of our learning programmes, we’re ready to help.
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