Independent Parenting Advocacy Service
Recent news!
Mind in Croydon Advocacy Service recently carried out a review of the project. As a result of the review, a report was submitted to Comic Relief. Please click here to find out more.
What is Advocacy about?
- Encouraging clients to speak for themselves
- Being included in the decision-making process
- Being treated equally
- Challenging assumptions
- Explaining your rights
As Parenting Advocates we can:
- Support you to attend meetings with your doctors, nurses, social workers or others.
- Help you to write letters or write letters on your behalf.
- Support you in gaining legal advice and representation when necessary.
How can Parenting Advocacy Help?
Sometimes parents find it difficult to express their concerns about themselves or their family, particularly if their role as a parent is affected by their mental health problem.
It can be especially difficult if you are in hospital on a section or if this is your first time having contact with mental health services. We can help if you are concerned about your own care and treatment or if you have any issues relating to your parenting role.
The parenting advocate can also help to sign post you to services or help you to access and liaise with agencies which include: Integrated Adult Mental Health Teams, Children & Families Social Services, Croydon Council, Education Department, schools and solicitors and other outside agencies.
The Parenting Advocacy Service operates independently of Statutory Services and offers you the opportunity to talk to someone in confidence about issues in a non-judgemental way. An advocate can support you through the process of mental health services and Children & Families Social Services.
How does it work?
Advocates work as instructed by the client. We therefore work differently according to the needs and wishes of our individual clients. Some common examples of advocacy work include:
- Listening to you and helping you have your voice heard.
- Supporting you at hospital ward rounds and meetings with your mental health team.
- Providing clear information about rights, medication and any aspect of treatment while in hospital or in the community.
- Supporting you when discussing your treatment plan with Psychiatrists, Nurses and Social Workers.
- Supporting you through the process of Children & Families Social Services (e.g. Child in Need, children subject to Child Protection Plan, Looked After Children review meetings).
- Supporting you in gaining legal advice and representation if necessary.
We can assist you with a range of issues and if needed, signpost and refer you to other professionals or agencies for advice and representation. This includes parent and family support services, solicitors, welfare rights workers, home support teams, housing advisors, the Health Service or to the relevant Ombudsman.
The Parenting Advocacy Service aims to promote the interests and rights of anyone in the Croydon community who may be experiencing mental health problems.
The Parenting Advocacy Service is an independent and confidential service funded by Comic Relief for three years and managed by Mind in Croydon.
Who can make a referral?
- You
- Family
- Friends
- Social Services
- Health professionals
- Voluntary Organisations.
Training for Professionals
We are able to offer mental health training workshops to statutory services, schools and any family support service. If you would like to find out more about this training please contact the service.
How to contact us
T: 020 8763 6730
E: parenting@mindincroydon.org.uk
Address:
Mind in Croydon
26 Pampisford Road
Purley, Surrey
CR8 2NE
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
If no one is available to take your call please leave a message and we will get back to you.
To download a copy of our leaflet, please click here.
