SAS DANIELS BREAKS THE MOULD WITH ADVOCATE HIRE

North West legal practice, SAS Daniels LLP, who have an office in Stockport, has become one of the first solicitors in the country to hire an independent professional advocate. Jakki Cowley has joined the company’s Macclesfield office, where she will offer a range of free advocacy services to clients.

          The role will see Jakki provide advocacy support to
          vulnerable adults across the North West. She will
          provide independent representation to ensure those
          less able to self-advocate have their voices heard and rights upheld. Clients that access the service may include older people, people with dementia, or those with a learning difficulty or mental health need. Jakki can assist with an array of issues including housing, care and treatment, legal rights and access to funding for care.

Jakki has worked in advocacy for over 10 years as an advocate at Advocacy Experience and Rethink and had a national role developing guidance and resources for Action for Advocacy (a4a). She currently sits on panels for the Royal College of Physicians and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

The move by SAS Daniels is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the UK. Traditionally, advocates are employed by charities or advocacy services, which rely on local government contributions and their own fund raising activities to operate.

However, cuts to local government budgets have meant that many services and charities have had to reduce their work, with potentially huge consequences. Research by Action for Advocacy (a4a) has suggested that up to 66,000 people could be affected by cuts to independent advocacy services.

By hiring an advocate, SAS Daniels is ensuring that a free advocacy service is available in the North West, independent of charity fundraising or local government budgets.

Jakki said “At a time when they’re needed more than ever, advocacy services are being stretched and cut back again and again. By joining SAS Daniels, I will be able to continue to offer non-statutory advocacy to those who need it most in the local area.”

Justine Clowes, head of the private client team at SAS Daniels, said
 
“Advocacy is offered free of charge because it is hugely important that vulnerable people have access to these services.  Jakki has a tremendous amount of experience, and we felt it was important that her expertise and service was safeguarded. We’re delighted to be able to offer her a position at SAS Daniels, and look forward to helping her deliver advocacy services.”

The firm is rated amongst the best in the region by Chambers and the Legal 500 – the two leading client guides to the UK legal profession.

SAS Daniels supports its clients by providing first rate commercial and personal legal services from its local offices in Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester and Congleton.