The Council and Independent Care Act Advocates – working together

17.1    The council and Independent Care Act Advocates need to work together to promote the wellbeing and interests of the person being represented. 

17.2    The council will take:

• all reasonable steps to assist Independent Care Act Advocates to support and represent people 
  
  
• into account any representations made by an Independent  Care Act Advocate on behalf of the person they are representing

17.3    The council may make reasonable requests to an Independent Care Act Advocate for information and meetings about someone the Advocate is representing or about more general advocacy matters. The Regulations require Independent Care Act Advocates to comply with such requests. 

17.4    The Regulations require any Independent Care Act Advocate concerned about the effect of a council action, decision or proposed outcome on the person they are representing to outline their concerns in a written report to the council. 

17.5    On receipt of the Advocate’s report, the council will:

• consider the  report
  
  
• convene a meeting with the Advocate to discuss concerns, and provide a written response to the Advocate following the meeting

17.6    Independent Advocate’s reports should be presented to and responded by the council promptly so that the person’s wellbeing is not compromised.