Spot purchasing and mental health support in 2026

Spot purchasing allows advocacy support to be commissioned on a case by case basis rather than through long-term block contracts. This approach can be particularly effective when needs are urgent, complex or do not fit neatly into existing commissioned services.

Uphold Advocacy works with spot purchasing arrangements to ensure individuals, families and professionals can access independent advocacy when it is genuinely needed.

What is spot purchasing in advocacy

Spot purchasing means advocacy support is arranged for a specific person, situation or timeframe. It is typically used when:

• An individual does not meet the criteria for statutory advocacy but would still benefit from support
• A situation requires timely independent input
• There is a need for specialist or short-term advocacy
• Existing commissioned services are at capacity



Rather than waiting for a long-term referral pathway, spot purchasing allows advocacy to be put in place quickly and proportionately.

Why spot purchasing works well for mental health advocacy

Spot purchasing is not about replacing commissioned services. It complements them by providing flexibility where standard routes may not be suitable.

Here are ten reasons why spot purchasing is an effective model:

1. It allows advocacy to be arranged quickly when time matters
2. It provides flexibility for complex or unusual cases
3. It supports individuals who fall outside statutory eligibility criteria
4. It avoids delays caused by rigid referral pathways
5. It ensures advocacy support is proportionate to the situation
6. It allows commissioners to respond to changing needs
7. It supports families who need independent guidance at key moments
8. It reduces pressure on long-term commissioned services
9. It enables access to specialist advocacy skills when required
10. It keeps the focus on the individual rather than the system

Supporting individuals, families and professionals

Mental health situations rarely follow a set timeline. Spot purchased advocacy can support people during assessments, meetings, discharge planning or periods of uncertainty. It can also help families and friends understand processes and communicate effectively with services while ensuring the individual’s voice remains central.

Uphold Advocacy provides independent support that is separate from care providers and decision-makers. This independence is key to ensuring trust, transparency and clarity for everyone involved.

Looking ahead to 2026

As services continue to adapt, flexible commissioning models such as spot purchasing will remain important. They allow advocacy to respond to real-life situations rather than predefined categories.

If you are a professional, family member or individual seeking timely independent advocacy support, spot purchasing can provide a practical and effective route to getting help when it is needed.