Family carers told us that they wanted clear information about:
- the different types of advocacy available to their relative
- when their relative’s entitlement was statutory (the law)
- what an advocate can and cannot do and the standard they should work to
- how they can be sure that the advocate representing their relative is independent
- when they could represent their relative as a family carer advocate
This has been included in this section.
The UK Supreme Court has unanimously overruled the 2014 decision in Cheshire West in a significant judgment (UKSC 16, 2 June 2026), we are awaiting updated guidance about how to assess if someone is deprived of their liberty. Therefore some of the information in this resource is out of date and will be updated in due course.
(Please also read the Human Rights Act and Equality Act section. Professional Independent Advocates will always adopt a ‘rights based’ approach when representing your relative.)