Advocacy

There are several organisations in Enfield that can assist you with advocacy, you can find details of these on the Council’s website for advocacy.

Enfield Carers Centre forms part of the Local Enfield Advocacy Partnership (LEAP). We are a group of locally based charities providing accessible, independent advocacy to people across Enfield.

We empower individuals to navigate services, understand their rights and make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Through this partnership we provide both specialised support, and wide community representation.

To find out more about LEAP you can call 020 8906 7505 or email enquiries@leapadvocacy.org.uk.

What is advocacy?

An advocate is someone who puts your case forward as clearly and effectively as possible.

They speak on your behalf, but under your direction, and you retain decision making responsibility.

This is distinct from an advisor, who may steer you in a particular direction.

A well-known example of an advocate is a barrister, who will speak for you in court. There are a number of types of advocates, such as financial and legal. However, at Enfield Cares Centre, we specialise in advocacy related to health and social care.

What is a statutory advocate?

In certain cases, the law says that someone should be allocated an advocate to speak for them, as they are unlikely to be able to do this for themselves.

This may be if someone has mental health issues, learning disabilities, older adults and children in care.

If you think that this may be relevant to you or your cared for, Enfield Carers Centre can advise you and signpost you to relevant body.

Why use an advocate?

You may be nervous or unused to speaking in formal situations. You may not have experience of the processes involved in your case. Or you may feel that someone else can explain your position well.

Often the independent advocate will be able to argue and present your case in the way that a tribunal or other body will expect. This could favour you.

Self-Advocacy training

You may wish to put your own case, and many people do this very ably. But you may feel that you haven’t got enough confidence, that you do not have skills such as speaking in public, or that you don’t know how best to present your case. Enfield Carers Centre can offer some support with this, and from time-to-time LEAP and Enfield Carers Centre offer training in self-advocacy.

Contact at Enfield Carers Centre:  Becky Pavilides, Information & Advice Officer, email:  advocacy@enfieldcarers.org or request an advocacy support meeting using our form.