Care Act Advocacy
Independent advocacy under the Care Act 2014 for people who would have substantial difficulty being involved in assessments, care planning and reviews.
Independent advocacy · West Midlands
Everyone deserves to be
Everyone deserves to be
heard.
believed.
respected.
involved.
BTC Advocacy CIC is an independent, not-for-profit Community Interest Company. We make sure vulnerable adults understand their rights and stay involved in the decisions that shape their lives.
Care Act 2014
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Human Rights Act 1998
What we do
Advocacy that fits the person,
Advocacy that fits the person,
not the process
From statutory duties to a quiet conversation before a difficult meeting. Filter by the kind of support you are looking for.
IMCA
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy for people who lack capacity for a specific decision and have no appropriate person to represent them.
IMHA
Independent Mental Health Advocacy for people subject to the Mental Health Act 1983 - understanding your rights, section, treatment and tribunal.
Safeguarding Advocacy
An independent voice throughout a safeguarding enquiry, so the adult at risk stays involved in every decision made about their safety.
NHS Complaints Advocacy
Practical, impartial help to raise a concern or complaint about NHS care - from writing the first letter to sitting beside you in the meeting.
Community Advocacy
Non-statutory advocacy for people facing barriers in housing, benefits, health or social care who simply need someone independent in their corner.
Representation at Meetings
We prepare with you beforehand, speak up in the room if you want us to, and make sure you leave understanding what was agreed.
Understanding Your Rights
Clear explanations of complex decisions, legal frameworks and options - in the format and at the pace that works for you.
Signposting & Referrals
If advocacy is not what you need, we will help you find the service that is, and make the introduction where we can.
Spot Purchase Advocacy
Flexible, responsive advocacy capacity for local authorities, NHS trusts and care providers - commissioned case by case.
Who we support
Adults who are at risk of
Adults who are at risk of
not being heard
Tap any group to see how our approach changes to meet them.
Learning disabilities
We use accessible language, easy-read approaches and extra time so that decisions about care, housing and support are genuinely understood - not just explained.
Our approach
Person-led, independent, confidential
We take the time to understand what matters to each person, the outcome they want, and the barriers in the way. Everything else follows from that.
1
Listen first
We start with the person, not the paperwork. What matters to you? What outcome are you hoping for? What has already been tried?
2
Remove the barriers
We identify communication needs and access barriers early, and adapt how we work so that nothing gets lost in translation.
3
Prepare together
You decide what is said and what is not. We help you get your thoughts in order and know what to expect in the room.
4
Speak up
At meetings, assessments and reviews we make sure your view is on the record - and that professionals respond to it.
5
Follow through
We check that what was agreed actually happens, and support you to challenge it properly if it does not.
“Every person has the right to be heard, to be treated with dignity, and to take part in the decisions that affect their life.”
Our commitment
Why BTC Advocacy
Independent means independent
BTC Advocacy CIC is newly established - and built on many years of professional experience across health, social care, mental health, immigration advice and community engagement.
Independent and impartialWe are not part of the local authority, the NHS or the care provider. We work for the person, and no one else.
Rights-basedGrounded in the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Person-centredLed by what the person wants, not by what is convenient for the system around them.
Professional and confidentialTrained advocates, clear boundaries, and information handled properly.
Culturally sensitiveCulture, faith and language shape what a good outcome looks like - and we treat that as central.
Flexible to commissionSpot purchase arrangements make it straightforward for professionals to bring us in quickly.
The legal framework
Rights that already belong to you
Our work is grounded in three pieces of legislation. We use them so that you do not have to.
2014
Care Act
Sets out the local authority’s duty to involve you in assessments, care and support planning, reviews and safeguarding enquiries - and to provide an independent advocate where you would otherwise have substantial difficulty taking part.
2005
Mental Capacity Act
Protects people who cannot make a particular decision at a particular time. It requires decisions to be made in their best interests, in the least restrictive way, with an IMCA involved where there is no one else to consult.
1998
Human Rights Act
Underpins everything: the right to private and family life, to liberty, to be free from degrading treatment, and to enjoy those rights without discrimination.
Common questions
Before you get in touch
An advocate helps you say what you want to say. That might mean explaining your options, helping you prepare for a meeting, speaking on your behalf if you ask us to, or making sure a decision-maker has genuinely heard your view. We do not give advice or make decisions for you.
Statutory advocacy - Care Act, IMCA and IMHA - is free to the person receiving it. Where a local authority, NHS trust or care provider commissions us on a spot purchase basis, we agree costs with them directly.
Yes. BTC Advocacy CIC is an independent Community Interest Company. Even where our work is funded by a public body, our loyalty is to the person we are advocating for.
We provide non-instructed advocacy. We spend time with the person, gather what is known about their history, wishes and feelings, and hold decision-makers to account against their rights and best interests.
Referrals are welcome from local authorities, NHS trusts and hospitals, social workers, care providers, GP practices, housing providers, community organisations, solicitors and - where appropriate - family members. People can also contact us directly about themselves.
Get in touch
Request advocacy support
Whether you are asking for yourself, for someone you care about, or referring on behalf of an organisation - tell us a little and we will come back to you.
- Emailinfo@btc.latif.org.uk
- Telephone0000 000 0000
- Area coveredWest Midlands & surrounding areas
- Office hoursMonday to Friday, 9am - 5pm