Chapter 1. Setting the Scene: Who Cares? Why Independent Advocacy Matters -- Chapter 2. Selected Case Studies: Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), Mental Health Advocacy and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS IMCA) -- Chapter 3. A History of Advocacy -- Chapter 4. Voices from the Inside: How Advocates See their Occupation -- Chapter 5. Voices from the Outside: How Non-Advocates view Advocacy and How Advocates Address Social, Cultural and Spiritual Support Needs -- Chapter 6. Harmonised Voices: Advocacy Practice in the Context of Virtue and Spirituality -- Chapter 7. Spirit of Advocacy.

This book explores the profession of independent advocacy through a history of the practice, and provides an empirical study of its emergence in London. While advocacy has long been associated with professions such as social work and mental health nursing, this book delivers a unique perspective of advocacy through the lens of faith and culture. Using real life examples and insights from service users, advocates and spiritual care practitioners in the advocacy and chaplaincy sectors, the fascinating results offer proposals for enhanced theory, training and practice in independent advocacy. It will be of great interest for students and professionals engaged in advocacy or spiritual care.