39d IMCA Support for Rosie

What was the person’s situation before working with Advocacy Focus?

The relevant person’s representative (RPR) is a lady called Rosie, who is the RPR for her Sister who lives in a Care Home. Rosie wanted the support of a 39d IMCA.

The background is relayed from our Advocate:

“I began working with Rosie in August 2022. She had requested the support of a 39d IMCA due to the ongoing concerns that she had about her sister Stella’s best interests, the deterioration in her presentation and ongoing issues relating to her move from her previous placement to her new placement.

Stella, who is deprived of her liberty, had lived out of area in Hertfordshire for the past twenty-one years and was moved to a placement closer to her family in January 2022. Stella has diagnoses of rapid cycling bipolar, schizoaffective disorder and learning disability.

Rosie had explained to me that since Stella had moved to her new placement, there had been a significant deterioration in her presentation and she had also undergone several medication changes. Rosie was very concerned that Stella’s move to her new placement had caused a negative impact on her wellbeing.

What did you do to help the person?

After several telephone consultations with Rosie, where we discussed her ongoing concerns, I supported Rosie to understand her rights and responsibilities as RPR, we met at the care home to complete a joint visit to spend time with Stella. We continue to conduct joint visits together every few months.

During our visits, we consult with staff, discuss any Derivation of Liberty (DOLS) Conditions (the rules and recommendations in place for the Care Home to explore and adhere to, to promote Stella’s independence and wellbeing) and review Stella’s care plans and daily care records.

I have also supported Rosie to attend Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings with the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and Stella’s Consultant Psychiatrist at the care home and provided Rosie support in preparing for the CPA and discussing the CPA after it has taken place.

Due to Rosie’s ongoing concerns and several discussions that we have had about her rights as Stella’s RPR, Rosie decided that she wanted to initiate Section 21A challenge proceedings in order for Stella’s best interests to be considered. As Rosie’s 39d IMCA, I have supported her to instruct a Solicitor and attended meetings with  Rosie to her Solicitor and a round table meeting with the Local Authority. I have also supported Rosie to understand the paperwork that has been produced as part of the Section 21A proceedings, such as the Court of Protection application and draft orders.

I have also supported Rosie to attend a meeting at the Local Authority’s offices, where we met with a Service Manager from the Local Authority, to raise and discuss Rosie’s ongoing concerns. I have also supported Rosie to make a formal complaint under our Social Care Complaints Advocacy Service, including help with writing a letter of complaint and navigating the complaints process at the Local Authority.

I have also visited Rosie at her home address with Stella’s allocated Social Worker and we have a further meeting planned. Rosie and I continue to speak on the telephone or via email on a weekly basis and Rosie is aware that she can continue to receive my support as long as she feels it is necessary.

What was the outcome?

Rosie has told me that she “would like to continue to be appointed into the role of the RPR and she has found the support of her IMCA 39d IMCA, Aimee, extremely beneficial, she would like this support to remain in place for the purpose of the next authorisation.”