Ensuring rights and choices are upheld thoughout the holidays

Ruby Edwards • 4 September 2025

At Uphold Advocacy, we are dedicated to promoting your rights and choices - at Christmas, school holidays and at all times.

The festive season is a time of celebration and togetherness for many. However, for some individuals, especially those within the healthcare or social care systems, the holidays can bring additional challenges and stress.


Independent advocacy services play a vital role in ensuring that everyone’s rights and choices are respected, particularly during this busy time.


Uphold Advocacy are dedicated to promoting your rights and choices. Our team of expert advocates ensures that individuals across Herefordshire, Hertfordshire and beyond can access the support they need - whether through statutory advocacy, SEN support or complaints advocacy. The holiday period can be particularly challenging for families, care providers and local authorities alike, making access to reliable advocacy services more important than ever.


Why independent advocacy matters during the holidays


The festive period often brings reduced staffing in local authorities, NHS services and care providers. This can lead to delays in support or difficulties in resolving issues. For individuals who require advocacy, this can mean their voices are at risk of being overlooked. Independent advocates ensure that:


  • individuals with limited capacity are supported in decision-making
  • complaints and concerns are addressed promptly, even during periods of reduced service
  • families and carers have guidance navigating complex care or educational systems


Our previous blog, “spot purchasing: a flexible solution for independent advocacy”, explains how local authorities and integrated care boards (ICBs) can secure advocacy services quickly when demand peaks, ensuring support is not interrupted during critical periods.


Challenges in accessing advocacy during seasonal peaks


Richard Morris, one of our senior advocates, explains:

“During the holiday season, we often see a spike in requests for advocacy, especially for urgent cases like deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) or SEN appeals. Spot purchasing and flexible service models help us ensure no one misses out on the support they are entitled to.”

Local authorities and care providers often rely on spot purchasing advocacy services to meet temporary or urgent needs. This ensures that advocates can step in promptly, upholding the rights and choices of individuals when standard services are limited.


Seasonal considerations for specific advocacy services


  • DoLS advocacy: vulnerable adults may need urgent support in care settings. Our advocates are trained to provide timely statutory advocacy, even during holiday periods. Learn more on our statutory advocacy services page.
  • SEN support: for families navigating education appeals or support plans, December and January can be crucial months for planning the next academic term. Our SEN advocacy services ensure families are supported in meetings and decisions.
  • Complaints advocacy: issues with healthcare or social care can arise at any time. Our complaints advocacy service helps individuals voice concerns effectively, even when offices are closed for the holidays.
  • Instructed and lay advocacy: whether acting on clear instructions from an individual or supporting someone to express their own views, our advocates are available to maintain independence and choice. Explore instructed advocacy and lay advocacy for more details.


Why spot purchasing and flexible models are crucial


As highlighted in our earlier blog, spot purchasing provides local authorities and ICBs with flexibility to respond to demand spikes. During seasonal peaks, this approach ensures that independent advocacy remains accessible and effective. It prevents delays in statutory processes, supports vulnerable adults, and guarantees that no one misses out on their rights due to temporary staffing or service reductions.


Contact us


If you are a local authority, ICB, or individual seeking advocacy support during the festive season, Uphold Advocacy is here to help. Referrals can be made by individuals, the NHS, local authorities, HM Court Services and solicitors.


To discuss the support you need or to make a referral, please call 01432 345 748 or visit our contact page.


At Uphold Advocacy, we ensure your rights and choices are never sidelined, even during the busiest time of year.

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