Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service (WIASS) is the local advocacy service providing advice and support for children/ young people (aged 0-25 years) with Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND) and their parents. Children/young people with SEND can get direct support from the service with or independent of, their parents. This service is provided by the local authority but is impartial and confidential.

For further details of WIASS click here

The Advocacy People

The Advocacy People can support young people who are:-

• Children looked after aged 0-18 years

• Children leaving care aged 18-25 years

• Children subject to child protection procedures aged 6-18 years

• Children in need aged 0-18 years

• Children on mental health wards in the borough aged 0-18, including children on the deaf ward held under the mental health act aged 6-18 years

• All categories listed above include provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities requiring advocacy for their care related needs.

Professionals, families and children and young people themselves can make a referral to The Advocacy People by calling 0330 440 9000, visiting the website www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk or emailing info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk

For more information please click here 

Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service (WIASS) is the local advocacy service providing advice and support for children/ young people (aged 0-25 years) with Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND) and their parents. Children/young people with SEND can get direct support from the service with or independent of, their parents. This service is provided by the local authority but is impartial and confidential.

For further details of WIASS click here

Rethink is an independent professional advocacy Service for adults (18+ years) needing help with a social care issue.  Under the Care Act (2014), local authorities must ensure that a person is fully involved when their social care and support needs are being reviewed.  The service will be offered when it has been assessed that the person needs support to be involved in care and support processes and has no one else suitable to help them.

For further information about Rethink and how to contact them please click here

Hestia provide Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy (IDVA) support and refuge accommodation for victims and their children suffering from domestic abuse. Hestia offer both emotional and practical support to ensure that every service user has a current risk assessment and support plan tailored to their individual needs.

To find out more and how to contact Hestia click here

Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service (WIASS)

WIASS is the local advocacy service providing advice and support for children/ young people (aged 0-25 years) with Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND) and their parents.

Children/young people with SEND can get direct support from the service with or independent of, their parents. This service is provided by the local authority but is impartial and confidential. For further details of WIASS click here

Rethink is an independent professional advocacy Service for adults (18+ years) needing help with a health issue.  Rethink can support and empower in navigating the NHS complaints system.  They also offer generic advocacy to support people with a health or social care issue who have no one else who can help them.

For further information about Rethink and how to contact them please click here

Healthwatch Wandsworth have advice and information regarding support with an NHS health or care issue or if you need to make a complaint

For further information please click here

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. The service can:

• help to resolve concerns or problems when you're using the NHS
• tell you how to get more involved in your own healthcare
• give support regarding NHS complaints procedure, including how to get independent help if you want to make a complaint

PALS offices are generally located in local hospitals.  For further information on PALS and how to contact them please click here

The Advocacy People provide mental health advocacy for young people with SEND (0-18years) who are hospital in-patients sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Advocacy is provided by an IMHA. IMHAs are independent of mental health services and provide advice and guidance on the patient’s rights and options. Advocates can provide support for medication reviews, attending meetings, leave and discharge from ward arrangements, understanding their care and decisions, accessing medical records and input into care planning.

For further information about their service and contact information please click here

Rethink  is an advocacy service that can support adults (18+ years) with issues relating to Mental health and Capacity through providing either an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) or Independent Mental Health Advocate. 

An IMCA role is to empower people to express their personal needs and support and represent them in the decision-making process. You are entitled to an IMHA if you are detained under certain section of the Mental Health Act.

An IMHA will help you to understand your rights in relation to your treatment, care and issues relating to being in hospital and access to services in the community, where appropriate.

For further information about Rethink and how to contact them please click here

Rethink offer a specialist mental health advocacy service to support young people aged 16-18 years who are in-patients on the deaf wards at Springfield Hospital, Wandsworth.

For further information about Rethink and how to contact them please click here