The Independent Rights Advice Service gives information to people who are detained and experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act. This information helps people to understand what their legal rights are and how they can act on those rights.
The Independent Rights Advice Service operates separately from the health care system, including hospitals, facilities, and community mental health teams.
What happens during a Rights Advice meeting?
- Once you have signed in virtually, by phone or in person the Rights Advisor will introduce themselves, explain their role and what they can do to support you. They will ask if you are in a private space, as all rights advice meetings are confidential.
- If you feel safe to do so you will share your experience, including any questions or concerns you may have about your care while in facility.
- The Rights Advisor will go through your rights under the Mental Health Act as listed on Form 13, taking time to explain what they mean and how to act on your rights if you choose to do so.
- The Rights Advisor will support you to fill out forms or access resources as requested.
- You are in control of the meeting, which means that Rights Advisors will take cues from you. You can take breaks, or even end the meeting if you choose.
- Rights advice meetings are not intended to be ongoing relationships. To serve as many people as possible, Rights Advisors typically meet on a one-off basis.
If I am supporting someone experiencing involuntary treatment, what can I expect from a Rights Advice meeting?
- The Independent Rights Advice Service allows service users to request the presence of a support person at their meeting if they choose. You will be notified by email if you have been requested to join a rights advice meeting.
- Your role will be to support the service user as they learn about their rights under the Mental Health Act and make decisions for themselves.
- You may have the option to support by filling out forms on the service user’s behalf if they request.
- Meetings with a Rights Advisor are confidential. Information discussed within the meeting will not be shared with family unless the service user has requested your presence as a support person.
- Rights advice meetings are not intended to be ongoing relationships. To serve as many people as possible, Rights Advisors typically meet on a one-off basis.