Spiral Skills is part of a registered charity called Learning First, our services reflect many years experience in the independent advocacy sector.

Spiral Skills is an independent provider of advocacy services  to people in a range of health and social care settings in Northumberland, Durham and the North East. 

Our current service delivery includes:

  Learning disability services.

  Mental health services.

  Assessment and treatment services.

  Adult and older person long term mental health.

  Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Services.

  Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) Services.

  Self-advocacy and service user groups.

For further information on criteria for referral to Case Advocacy, IMCA and IMHA services, plus frequently asked questions and referral forms please visit the Case Advocacy, IMCA IMHA and Download areas of our website. Also see the Download area of our website for an explanation of your rights under the Mental Health Act available in 28 languages.

At all times Spiral Skills works to the Advocacy Code of Practice.
Extract from the Code of Practice: "People are entitled to be in control of their own lives but sometimes, whether through frailty, disability, financial circumstances or social attitudes, they may find themselves in a position where their ability to exercise choice or present their own interests is limited.  In these circumstances advocates can help ensure that an individual's views and needs are heard, respected and acted upon. Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.”

Please click here to download a full copy of the Advocacy Code of Practice. This is a PDF file, if you don't already have Adobe Reader  click here to download the programme free. 

Confidentiality.
Spiral Skills Advocacy Service has a confidentiality policy and guidelines.  We will keep the things you tells us confidential unless it would be dangerous to you or someone else not to.  Please visit our downloads page to read the Spiral Skills confidentiality policy, your advocate will be happy to discuss this with you.   

Complaints.
If you have a complaint about Spiral Skills Advocacy service, you can be reassured that the appropriate procedure is in operation. If you would like to discuss making a complaint, or you would like a copy of the complaints procedure please contact Spiral Skills or alternatively you can download a copy of the procedure from our web site. 

How to get in touch.
Please visit the contact us page for ways to get in touch and visit the downloads page for referral forms, leaflets, policies, guides and feedback forms. Thank you.