Paid Relevant

Person’s Representative

The role of a Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) is to maintain contact with the person and to represent and support them in all matters relating to the deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS). This support has to be completely independent from the providers of the services they are receiving.

How can our Independent Advocates help?

Our Independent Advocates have been specially trained to represent and protect the human rights of those who lack capacity and who are being deprived of their liberty in care homes and hospitals. Our team holds a wealth of expertise and knowledge surrounding the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS.

What will they do?

Advocacy Focus’ will represent the relevant person by:

Assisting them to understand the implications of the authorisation and what it means for the individual.
Requesting a review to the local authority and providing support with a review.
Raise concerns or challenge decisions made.
Make an application to the Court of Protection on behalf of the individual to exercise their Article 5 (4) ‘Right to liberty’ right under the Human rights Act.

What is Section 39?

Section 39 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out the different IMCA roles:

Section 39A IMCAs are instructed when there is an assessment in response to a request for a standard authorisation made by the care home/hospital, or a concern about a potentially unauthorised deprivation of liberty.
Section 39C IMCAs cover the role of the RPR when there is a gap between appointments, this might be due the RPR being unwell and unable to continue in their role for a period of time.
Section 39D IMCAs support the person, and/or their RPR, when a standard authorisation is in place.

Advocacy in Action

Aisha* was residing in a care home under a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisation. An Independent Advocate was allocated as Aisha’s Paid Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR). On the RPR’s first Aisha seemed to engage well in conversation and retain relevant information, she told the RPR that she felt she had capacity to make her own decisions.

Read full story

Contact us

For more information about the role of an IMCA contact us here:

Call us Advocacy Focus on: 0300 323 0965 or email: admin@advocacyfocus.org.uk

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