Abstract
The Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the amendments to the Mental Health Act (1983) in 2007–which came into effect in 2007 and 2009, respectively, in England and Wales–made it a statutory duty for the NHS and local authorities to refer to advocacy services. This is part of a growth in advocacy which coincides with an increase in literature on mental health and spirituality. Independent advocates and spiritual care coordinators (or chaplains) provide expressions of advocacy. For Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, social, cultural and spiritual factors are influential. Research involved a literature review on the history of advocacy and interviews with over 30 advocates, chaplains and service users and subsequent grounded theory analysis. The attested “rediscovery of the spiritual dimension in health and social care” was supported by overlaps in the practices of advocates and chaplains. This highlighted shortcomings around the professionalisation of advocacy in relation to culture and spirituality.
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