Specialist schemes and workers and awareness training for all advocacy workers should also be considered. Costs will vary according to which model is used. One estimate of the costs of running an advocacy scheme is about 80,000 a year. This would include the costs of some paid workers, and premises, and could provide a base for further development including volunteer advocates. The cost of a single acute psychiatric bed is about 50 - 70,000 a year.
Many advocates give their time freely.
However, even projects with large numbers of volunteers require paid staff to recruit, train and supervise the volunteer advocates as well as to provide specialist back-up. Paid workers can also train service providers on the advocacy role, and develop interagency protocols. Government commitment to adequate funding to ensure national coverage. Wider development of a range of advocacy services with the objective of advocacy being available for everyone who needs it. This is one of a series of leaflets produced by Mind on issues arising out of the proposed reform of the Mental Health Act.