Search results for ‘Subject term:"independent mental health advocacy"’ Sort:
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Getting to know you: reflections on a specialist independent mental health advocacy service for Bexley and Bromley residents in forensic settings
- Authors:
- PALMER David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 17(1), 2012, pp.5-13.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
From April 2009, statutory access to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) has been available to patients subject to certain aspects of the Mental Health Act 1983. IMHAs exist to help and support patients to understand and exercise their legal rights. The aim of this paper is to discuss an audit evaluation of a specialist independent mental health advocacy service provided by Mind based in the London Borough of Bexley. The audit included qualitative interviews with 10 long-term in-patient residents in 2 specialist forensic mental health and challenging behaviour units. The data collected were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings are considered under the headings: developing trust; diversity; and wellbeing. They indicate that the service's approach, which combines formal advocacy methods with a proactive ethos, had a positive impact on engagement. The importance of trust in the relationships between advocates and service users was highlighted by the study. The audit also indicates a significant increase in self-reported wellbeing, self-efficacy and empowerment for participants.
Research to support the Duty to Review the Implementation of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010...part 4 final report: mental health advocacy
- Author:
- OPINION RESEARCH SERVICES
- Publisher:
- Wales. Welsh Government
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 54
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This study provides qualitative evidence on the views of service users, their carers and practitioners on the implementation of Part 4 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010. This part of the Measure introduced an expanded statutory scheme of independent mental health advocacy (IMHA) for patients subject to compulsion under sections 4 and 5(2) and 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983. In addition, it expanded the IMHA service to individuals receiving care and treatment in hospital for a mental health problem who were not detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 but were voluntary (or informal) patients. The advocacy aims to assist inpatients in making informed decisions about their care and treatment and to support them in getting their voices heard. The report draws upon the interviews conducted with service users and their carers and with practitioners, including IMHA providers. It presents the findings under each of the two specific review questions, covering the experiences of advocacy and service users’ perceptions of advocacy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Making adult safeguarding personal
- Authors:
- REDLEY Marcus, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(3), 2015, pp.195-204.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to ascertain what efforts Adult Safeguarding Leads (ASLs), generic advocates, and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates are making to involve service users in decisions about protective measures, and to investigate whether the Adult Safeguarding service is delivering outcomes, which are valued by its users. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews with a sample of key stakeholders. Findings: ASLs are making efforts to involve service users in the complex and demanding process of safeguarding. These efforts, however, are shaped by their understandings of the difference between “residential” and “community” settings. Research limitations/implications: The study is based in a single County Council, albeit in a large county, and involves a limited number of service users. Practical implications: Clarification is needed of what it may mean to adopt a person-centred approach to adult safeguarding, and the responsibilities of ASLs when individuals with capacity to make decisions about this aspect of their lives are unwilling to engage with the safeguarding process. Originality/value: The findings improve the understanding of how ASLs understand their responsibilities towards the users of their services and endeavour to involve them in the adult safeguarding process. Based on this understanding, those with responsibility for managing Adult Safeguarding services should be better able to support improvements in professional practice. (Publisher abstract)
The right to be heard: review of the quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services in England
- Authors:
- NEWBIGGING Karen, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Central Lancashire. School of Health
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 292
- Place of publication:
- Preston
Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services were introduced in the Mental Health Act 2007. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) became responsible for ensuring the availability of IMHA services in April 2009. An IMHA is a specialist type of mental health advocate, granted specific roles and responsibilities under the 2007 Act. The role of the IMHA is to help qualifying patients understand the legal provisions to which they are subject under the Mental Health Act 1983, the rights and safeguards to which they are entitled, and to help these patients to exercise their rights through supporting participation in decision-making. This review of the quality of IMHA provision across England was commissioned by the Department of Health. The study was undertaken by researchers at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in partnership with Equalities National Council, Aawaz, Manchester African Caribbean Mental Health Services and Comensus, a University-wide forum supporting the involvement of service users and carers in teaching and research. The main aim was to look at how IMHA services are providing help to patients under the 2007 Act, what makes for a good IMHA service, and what factors influence the quality of service provided. The study used different methods to gather information about how IMHA services are working in practice. A first stage involved: a focused literature review; 11 focus groups held across England with a range of stakeholders (advocates, mental health service users, IMHA partners, carers and mental health professionals); and shadow visits to IMHA services. A second stage involved gathering data in eight case study sites (mental health providers) to understand the experience of qualifying patients, the commissioning and delivery of IMHA services, and their relationship with mental health services. The case study sites were selected to reflect differences in the local population and the way IMHA services were organised and delivered. In total 214 people were interviewed, including 90 qualifying patients, 61 of whom had experience of using IMHA services. The report presents key findings on: experiences of the 2007 Act; access to, and understanding and provision of IMHA services; IMHA services and the diversity of qualifying patients; the mental health services context; the benefits of the service; commissioning IMHA services; and determining the quality of IMHA services. The report makes recommendations for government, the Care Quality Commission, commissioners, mental health services, IMHA services, service user, carer and community organisations, and higher education and training providers. This research has found that the IMHA role is valued and appreciated by service users, although its potential is not fully realised. Action is required to strengthen the capacity of such advocacy services; and future research needs to explore gaps in the evidence base and to further evaluate the impact of IMHA practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
The right to be heard: review of the quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services in England: summary report
- Authors:
- NEWBIGGING Karen, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Central Lancashire. School of Health
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 35
- Place of publication:
- Preston
An Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) is a statutory mental health advocate, granted specific roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 2007. The Department of Health commissioned researchers at the University of Central Lancashire to undertake this study (UCLan) in partnership with Equalities National Council, Aawaz, Manchester African Caribbean Mental Health Services and Comensus, a University-wide forum supporting the involvement of service users and carers in teaching and research. The main aim was to look at how IMHA services are providing help to patients under the 2007 Act, what makes for a good IMHA service, and what factors influence the quality of service provided. The study used multiple methods to gather information about how IMHA services are working in practice. The study was undertaken in two stages, the first of which enabled the development of draft quality indicators for IMHA services. The second stage involved gathering data in eight case study sites (NHS Trust areas) to understand the experience of qualifying patients, and the commissioning and delivery of IMHA services and their relationship with mental health services. This report summarises the main findings on: experiences of the 2007 Act; access to, and understanding and provision of IMHA services; IMHA services and the diversity of qualifying patients; the mental health services context; the benefits of the service; commissioning IMHA services; and determining the quality of IMHA services. The findings confirm that there is a role for IMHA and that this role is valued by IMHA partners, but that most is not being made of this opportunity. (Edited publisher abstract)
The right to be heard: independent mental health advocacy services in England
- Authors:
- NEWBIGGING Karen, McKEOWN Mick, MACHIN Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, September 2012, pp.24-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Independent mental health advocacy (IMHA) services were introduced by the Mental Health Act (2007) to safeguard the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act and to enable them to exercise their rights through supporting participation in decision-making. The University of Lancashire was commissioned by the Department of Health to undertake a large-scale study of IMHA services. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent to which IMHA services in England are providing accessible, effective and appropriate support for the diversity of qualifying patients, and to better understand the factors that affect quality. This article provides a snapshot of the main findings from the study and makes the case for good quality independent advocacy. The article includes an overview of: the IMHA role; access to IMHA services; the need for and value of advocacy services; commissioning IMHA services; and the future for IMHA services.
Independent mental health advocacy
- Authors:
- HAKIM Rezina, POLLARD Tom
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Alliance
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service came into effect in England in April 2009 as part of a new statutory provision in the revision to the 1983 Mental Health Act passed in 2007. The revised legislation provides a safeguard and right to advocacy for qualifying patients detained under the Act. The main purpose for an IMHA is to help and support patients in understanding and exercising their legal rights. This paper assesses the commissioning of IMHA services. Thirty five IMHA service providers responded to a survey focused on six areas of work pertaining to IMHA service commissioning. Findings revealed that IMHA providers were underfunded and overstretched in the face of the demand for their services, while there is still a lack of awareness about it among service users and mental health staff. The report concluded that commissioners need to carry out IMHA needs assessments and put new contracts out to tender so that comprehensive services are provided and black and minority ethnic service users’ needs are properly catered for.
Independent advocacy and the "rise of spirituality": views from advocates, service users and chaplains
- Author:
- MORGAN Geoff
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 13(6), September 2010, pp.625-636.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article discusses definitions of independent advocacy and its forms and expanding expressions in contemporary health and social care, including the new statutory roles of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates and Independent Mental Health Advocates. It provides a brief spiritual history of independent advocacy, and describes a research project in which informal views and opinions on advocacy practice were gathered from 44 advocates, spiritual care coordinators and/or chaplains, and clients. The author analyses the interview data, concentrating on the synergy between the advocacy practice of advocates and spiritual care coordinators, including the views of clients. He discusses what both disciplines may have to offer each other, and argues that spiritual and theological factors enhance the formation of the emerging profession of the advocate.
‘When you haven't got much of a voice’: an evaluation of the quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services in England
- Authors:
- NEWBIGGING Karen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 23(3), 2015, pp.313-324.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Given the context of increasing numbers of people detained under the Mental Health Act and heightened awareness of the potential for neglect and abuse in human services, statutory advocacy is an important safeguard supporting human rights and democratising the social relationships of care. This article reports findings from a national review of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) provision in England. A qualitative study used a two-stage design to define quality and assess the experience and impact of IMHA provision in eight study sites. A sample of 289 participants - 75 focus group participants and 214 individuals interviewed - including 90 people eligible for IMHA services, as well as advocates, a range of hospital and community-based mental health professionals, and commissioners. The research team included people with experience of compulsion. Findings indicate that the experience of compulsion can be profoundly disempowering, confirming the need for IMHA. However, access was highly variable and more problematic for people with specific needs relating to ethnicity, age and disability. Uptake of IMHA services was influenced by available resources, attitude and understanding of mental health professionals, as well as the organisation of IMHA provision. Access could be improved through a system of opt-out as opposed to opt-in. Service user satisfaction was most frequently reported in terms of positive experiences of the process of advocacy rather than tangible impacts on care and treatment under the Mental Health Act. IMHA services have the potential to significantly shift the dynamic so that service users have more of a voice in their care and treatment. However, a shift is needed from a narrow conception of statutory advocacy as safeguarding rights to one emphasising self-determination and participation in decisions about care and treatment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Impact evaluation of an Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service in a high secure hospital: a co-produced survey measuring self-reported changes to patient self-determination
- Author:
- EADES Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(1), 2018, pp.53-60.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to measure any impact that IMHA support had on patient’s self-determination. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a questionnaire design, co-produced with patients to ensure question relevance, accessibility and ease of use. The theoretical framework used by the study was Deci & Ryan’s empirically validated self-determination theory (SDT) as it is predictive, across cultures and domains (including healthcare), of psychological well-being and self-determined action following the satisfaction of three fundamental human needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. Findings: Following advocacy support, increased self-determination, was found in 70 percent of the patients surveyed. In this study, increased self-determination was inferred by patients’ subjective responses to survey questions which measured satisfaction with contextual aspects of autonomy, competence and relatedness. The extensive SDT research has identified that the satisfaction of these needs is essential for psychological well-being and a prerequisite for self-determined and motivated action. Research has also linked psychological needs fulfilment to the personal recovery journey for those diagnosed with a mental illness. Originality/value: Although limited, qualitative research evidence has identified that IMHA support helps to empower their partners (referred to in the text as patients or patient partners) to be more self-determined. This is an important finding, particularly for those patient partners detained under the Mental Health Act, given the often disempowering and autonomy reducing nature of mental illness and the characteristics of detained environments. However, a gap in the literature exists for quantitative outcome data identifying the specific impact that IMHA support has for patients. Obtaining measurable outcome data which seek to understand how and why Independent Mental Health Advocacy support impacts its patient partners is essential for developing and validating outcome measures that can lead to best practice improvements in IMHA service delivery. Furthermore, this knowledge is pivotal in optimizing IMHA services’ potential for empowering patients and providing commissioners with the much-needed evidence for effective commissioning of such services. (Publisher abstract)