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INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY SERVICES

Your Voice. Your Rights. Your Choice.

We provide independent statutory and non-statutory advocacy across County Durham and the North East. Supporting children and adults to be heard in health, social care and legal processes.

SPECIALIST ADVOCACY

Care Act, IMHA, IMCA and Children’s Advocacy

Experienced advocates supporting individuals through assessments, reviews, safeguarding enquiries, mental health processes and decision-making meetings. Independent, rights-based and person-centred.

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Supporting People to Navigate Complex Systems

We work alongside individuals, families and professionals to ensure fair representation, informed decisions and positive outcomes in health and social care settings.

Care Act Advocacy

Mental Health

Mental Capacity

Children's Advocacy

RRP Advocacy

Complaints & Representation

Whether you’re looking for support or making a referral, our prospectus has everything in one place — the advocacy services we offer, who we help, and how to get started. Download your copy below.

2025

ESTABLISHED IN

Independent Advocacy Across the North East

Supporting Individuals to Be Heard and Understood

The Vault Unlocking Potential CIC provides independent statutory and non-statutory advocacy for children and adults. We work alongside individuals involved in health, social care and safeguarding processes to ensure their rights are upheld and their voices are heard. Our approach is person-centred, rights-based and safeguarding-led.

OUR ADVOCACY SERVICES

Independent Advocacy for Children and Adults

Care Act Advocacy

Supporting adults during Care Act assessments, reviews and safeguarding enquiries.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Advocacy for individuals detained or subject to the Mental Health Act.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy

Support for people who lack capacity and have no appropriate representative.

Children’s Advocacy

Ensuring children and young people are heard in care and safeguarding matters.

Need Advocacy Support? Speak to our team today. Make a Referral

Independent Advocacy Services

The Vault

The Vault

The Vault

McKenzie Friend & Family Court Support

Practical, procedural, emotional and administrative help at every stage of your family court journey.

Child Arrangements & Private Family Law

  • C100, C1A, C7 and C8 application support
  • Child Arrangements Order support
  • Specific Issue Order support
  • Prohibited Steps Order support
  • CAFCASS interview preparation
  • Section 7 report support
  • Position Statement preparation support
  • Evidence organisation
  • Court bundle preparation and organisation
  • Fact-Finding hearing preparation
  • Consent order and agreement preparation support

Domestic Abuse & Protective Order Support

  • FL401 application support
  • Non-Molestation Order application support
  • Occupation Order application support
  • Special Measures request support
  • Scott Schedule preparation
  • Evidence collation and organisation
  • Fact-Finding hearing preparation support

Cohabitation & Property Dispute Support

  • Cohabitation Agreement support
  • Separation Agreement support
  • TOLATA case preparation support
  • Evidence gathering and organisation
  • Property ownership documentation organisation

Court Hearing Support

  • Pre-hearing preparation
  • Court bundle management
  • Attendance as your McKenzie Friend
  • Courtroom note-taking
  • Post-hearing action planning

Court Preparation & Confidence Coaching

  • Court etiquette training
  • Mock hearings
  • Preparing to answer questions in court
  • Giving evidence coaching
  • Court preparation sessions

Document & Administrative Support

  • Court form completion assistance
  • Witness statement drafting support
  • Position Statement drafting support
  • Chronology preparation
  • Scott Schedule preparation
  • Court bundle preparation
  • Correspondence drafting support

Important Notice

The Vault provides McKenzie Friend, practical, procedural, emotional and administrative support. We are not solicitors or barristers and do not provide regulated legal services or advice. We cannot conduct litigation or exercise rights of audience unless specifically authorised by the court in an individual case.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions
About Advocacy

We support adults and children who meet statutory criteria under the Care Act, Mental Health Act, or Mental Capacity Act, as well as individuals requiring non-statutory advocacy.

Statutory advocacy is free for eligible individuals. We can also discuss other support options if statutory criteria are not met.

An advocate helps you understand your rights, prepares you for meetings, ensures your views are heard, and supports you during decision-making processes.

You can contact our team directly by phone or email. Professionals can also submit referrals on behalf of individuals with consent.

  • Care Act Advocacy
  • Mental Health Advocacy
  • Mental Capacity Advocacy
WHY CHOOSE THE VAULT

How Our Advocacy Services Support You?

  • Independent and impartial
  • Experienced statutory advocates
  • Safeguarding-led approach
  • Person-centred practice
  • Clear communication
  • Local knowledge of health and social care systems

OUR CLIENTS FEEDBACK

What People Say About The Vault

Need Independent Advocacy Support?

We provide confidential, impartial advocacy for children and adults involved in health, social care and safeguarding processes.

95%

Positive Feedback

25+

Years Experience

100+

Client Supported

100%

Independent