Portsmouth Advocacy - provided by SEAP

Access
Address: The Oasis Centre
1a Upper Arundel Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1NP
 
Tel: 02392 837777
Fax: 02392 863512
Email: admin.portsmouth@seap.org.uk
 
South of England Advocacy Projects (SEAP) provides advocacy to a wide range of adult client groups in Portsmouth, including those with mental health issues, people with learning difficulties, those with sensory impairments and those with physical disabilities.
 
We are also contracted to provide Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) to people who are not able to make decisions for themselves and who are facing changes in their accommodation or require serious medical treatment.
 
We provide an Appropriate Adult service in Portsmouth, for vulnerable adults who are going through the criminal justice system, either as a witness, someone who is required to make a police statement, or for those who have been arrested.
 
Referrals for all of our services are accepted from statutory and voluntary organisations, as well as self referrals.
 
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is concerned with ensuring that people, particularly those most vulnerable in our society, are enabled to express their views, wishes and feelings, either directly or through a competent and independent voice. Advocates work to ensure that the rights of their clients are safeguarded and their voices are heard and genuinely considered as part of the decision-making process.
 
Advocates will

• Plan from the person's definition of the situation
• Work towards an acceptable outcome for the person
• Recognise the person as having the most specialised knowledge of their life, views, wishes and needs
• Provide information and help the person to explore their options, to enable them to make an informed decision, without influence

Training
SEAP has many years experience in writing and delivering advocacy and rights related training to advocates and service providers. We have developed a number of training courses, some of which have received formal accreditation. We are also able to design specific training to suit your organisations needs.
 
SEAP works extensively with service users as co-trainers and is able to provide training for organisations wishing to develop this area of work.