This policy covers advocacy and decision-making support for people aged 16 years and over who may lack capacity now or in the future. The Care Act 2014 places a duty on healthcare providers to ensure that all adults have access to information and advice on care and support, and to keep them safe from abuse and neglect. To achieve this some clients may require independent advocacy to access the right information and advice, the need for which should be assessed as a part of any advocacy referral.