Commissioning requirements for Independent advocacy

21.1    The council will commission advocacy services which are independent of:

• the council, and
• organisations to which the council has delegated responsibility for carrying out assessment, planning and review functions on behalf of the council.

21.2    The council will commission independent advocacy services which can demonstrate that its advocates:

• are not employed by or otherwise working for the council or any body to which the council has delegated its assessment and planning functions
• are not involved in providing care or treatment in a paid or professional capacity to the cared for person or their carer when representing either person
• have appropriate experience, for example in non-instructed advocacy or in working with people who have substantial difficulty in being involved in care and support/safeguarding processes
• have appropriate training  – for example in non-instructed / instructed advocacy, dementia, working with people with learning disabilities
• are competent to fulfil the responsibilities of the role– see section 15
• have integrity and are of good character. All independent advocates must have an enhanced DBS check with a check of the adults’ and / or children’s barred lists as appropriate to the advocate’s role 
• have arrangements to receive appropriate supervision