Voice, Rights, Independence: SIAA’s 2026 Manifesto for Independent Advocacy in Scotland

Read about SIAA's manifesto calling on all parties to invest in independent advocacy so that everyone in Scotland can have their voice heard

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) – the national organisation for independent advocacy in Scotland – has published a new manifesto: Voice. Rights. Independence.

The manifesto sets out a clear and urgent call to action. For many disabled people, people with mental ill health, and others who face barriers to being heard, independent advocacy is what makes participation in decisions about their own lives genuinely possible. It is the support that helps people say what they want, understand what is happening, and be treated as equal partners in the decisions that affect them most. Independent advocacy is not a peripheral service – it is a fundamental part of a rights-based approach to health and social care in Scotland.

What does the manifesto ask for?

SIAA’s manifesto is built around three priorities for the next Scottish Parliament and Government.

• The first priority is fulfilling Scotland’s existing commitments. The 2022 Scottish Mental Health Law Review made 21 detailed recommendations on independent advocacy — covering stronger referral pathways, expanded rights to collective advocacy, and meaningful enforcement. The Scottish Government accepted all 21 recommendations in 2023. SIAA is calling on the next Government to renew that commitment, with full implementation by 2031.

• The second priority is building sustainable, high-quality provision. Independent advocacy across Scotland is currently fragile. Many organisations are operating waiting lists for the first time in their histories. SIAA is calling for a minimum of three-year funding cycles, updated commissioning guidance (the current guide dates from 2013), and a parliamentary inquiry to examine where provision is falling short. Crucially, the manifesto also calls for protection of advocacy’s independence – when data demands from commissioners compromise the relationship between an advocate and the person they support, the very purpose of independent advocacy is undermined.

• The third priority is investing in prevention. Collective and citizen advocacy – the models that bring people together, build community, and prevent crises before they occur – are the most vulnerable to cuts and the least well understood by commissioners. Yet they are among the most valuable: one person involved in a collective advocacy group said “I’ve been involved in collective advocacy groups since 2011 and they’ve saved my life. They’re the reason I’m able to attend events […] and have the confidence to speak up for myself and others like me.” SIAA is calling for dedicated funding streams to protect and expand these models as the long-term investments they truly are.

Why this matters now

The evidence is compelling. Research from Social Finance indicates that for every £1 invested in independent advocacy, approximately £7 is saved by the NHS and £5 by local authorities. Independent advocacy is mentioned in ten Scottish laws. Yet only 5% of those with a legal right to access it in Scotland are currently able to do so.

The 2026 election is an opportunity to change that — to close the gap between the rights Scotland has committed to on paper and the lived reality for people across the country.

SIAA’s call on all parties standing in the 2026 election to commit to making Scotland a country where everyone’s voice can be heard.

Read the full manifesto: Voice. Rights. Independence. — 2026 Manifesto for Independent Advocacy in Scotland

Read the SIAA member news article: Voice. Rights. Independence. 2026 Manifesto for independent advocacy in Scotland

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