Advocacy
Two new company-wide independent advocacy services have been appointed to work across all services at Castlebeck.
Two independent advocacy services which will support and represent service users within Castlebeck services have recently been appointed.
Dundee Independent Advocacy Support (DIAS) will support those service users living in Scotland while the North East and Midlands will be represented by VoiceAbility.
Immediately following the Panorama programme about the treatment of people living at Winterbourne View, Chief Executive Lee Reed pledged to ensure access to independent advocacy for each and every Castlebeck service user.
There was an immediate review of existing advocacy provision and management commissioned three organisations to proactively approach each person living in a Castlebeck service to help them express their views, including about their well-being and safety.
A full tendering process began to appoint independent advocacy across the company’s hospitals and care homes.
The two successful organisations will be working across all Castlebeck services to ensure people have their voices heard, and are empowered and involved in their care and treatment. The initial contract is for a period of three years.
Independent advocates are people who visit services to communicate with and for service users to establish their views and work with them.
The appointment of these two independent organisations to provide a company-wide advocacy service ensures that all those in our care will have access to an independent advocate to speak on their behalf.
