1) The Certificate in Independent Advocacy - 4 mandatory units plus 1 optional unit required

• Independent Mental Health Advocacy. The Mental Health Act`s creation of the role of Independent Mental Health Advocate (MHA) requires advocates to develop the practical skills and knowledge required to provide this service. This unit enables advocates to understand how Mental Health legislation affects patients who meet the qualifying criteria for this service, and how to respond to such referrals. The unit also enables advocates to work with a range of people receiving the services and responding to their needs as well as working with a range of professionals.

• Independent Advocacy Management. This unit looks at the practical skills which managers can utilise in managing and advocacy service. These including building relationships with commissioners, writing a business plan, negotiating a Service Level Agreement, recruiting and managing advocates, managing information, measuring the outcomes of advocacy, promoting the service, and involving users in the running of the service.

• Providing Independent Advocacy to Adults. This unit addresses providing Independent Advocacy to adults in a range of settings. These settings include care homes, hospital wards, community settings, secure settings, supported housing, prisons, day centres and police stations. The unit will focus on person centred approaches, supporting the person with a variety of meetings, and supporting the person to explore choices and options and the possible consequences of these.

• Independent Advocacy with Children and Young People. This unit examines how to delivery advocacy support to children and young people. This will include supporting children and young people through a range of meetings and decision making processes, and assisting them explore choices and options and the potential consequences of these. The unit will also examine UK, European and International legislation in order to promote children`s rights, and using child protection systems to keep children and young people safe, and engaging with professionals.