Greenwich Social Services

GAP is a partnership of three Greenwich-based organisations: METRO, Greenwich Mind and Advocacy in Greenwich.

We are commissioned to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable adults who may have one or more of the following issues:

• Learning disabilities
• Mental health issues
• Physical disabilities or sensory impairments
• Alcohol or substance misuse

Under the Care Act, local authorities have a statutory duty to provide and Independent Advocate for vulnerable adults using their services if BOTH of the following two conditions apply:

1. The individual experiences substantial difficulty in one or more of the following ways:

• Cannot understand relevant information
• Is unable to retain information for long enough to be able to weigh up options
• Cannot weigh up information to express preferences
• Cannot communicate their views, wishes and feelings

AND

2. No appropriate individual can be found to advocate on the individual’s behalf. The appropriate individual must not be:

• Someone the person does not want to support them
• Already providing care or treatment to the person in a professional / paid capacity
• Someone who is unlikely to be able to, or available to, adequately support the person’s involvement
• Someone implicated in an enquiry into abuse or neglect

If these two conditions apply, you have a statutory duty to appoint an Independent Advocate.

Please complete the online form below or call us on 020 8305 5003.