VoiceAbility
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK's largest providers of advocacy services. It supports people — including children and young people, people with learning disabilities and autistic people — to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing, including for families involved with social care or court processes.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
What VoiceAbility is
VoiceAbility is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1076630) and in Scotland (SC050036). It provides independent advocacy and involvement services across England and Scotland, supporting over 37,000 people a year to have their voice heard in decisions about their care, treatment and welfare.
Advocacy is different from legal advice: an advocate does not tell you what to do or represent you in court, but works alongside you to make sure your views, wishes and feelings are heard by the professionals making decisions — social workers, doctors, councils and hospitals.
What help it offers
- A free helpline: 0300 303 1660, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (closed bank holidays), for questions about referrals and advocacy eligibility.
- Email support at helpline@voiceability.org (England) or helpline.scotland@voiceability.org (Scotland).
- Independent advocacy in many parts of England and Scotland, including: - Statutory advocacy (for example, Independent Mental Health Advocates and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, and care Act advocacy) where the law entitles someone to an advocate. - Advocacy for children and young people, including those involved with children's services. - NHS complaints advocacy — free support to use the NHS complaints process. - Advocacy at care and support assessments and in hospital.
- Self-advocacy and involvement groups (Speak Out) for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
- Information in Easy Read for people who find standard written information difficult.
Important limits: VoiceAbility does not provide legal advice, cannot act as a solicitor, and cannot represent you as a McKenzie Friend in court. Advocacy availability depends on local commissioning — not every type of advocacy is available in every area.
Contact details
- Website: https://www.voiceability.org
- Helpline: 0300 303 1660 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, excluding bank holidays)
- Email: helpline@voiceability.org / helpline.scotland@voiceability.org
- Contact page: https://www.voiceability.org/about-us/contact-us
How a self-representing parent can use VoiceAbility
VoiceAbility is most useful when the issue is about being heard in health and care decisions, rather than the court process itself:
1. If you or your child has a disability or additional need. An advocate can help your child — or you, if you have eligible care needs — take part in assessments and planning meetings with the local authority or NHS. 2. If your child is involved with children's services. Ask the local authority whether your child is entitled to independent advocacy; VoiceAbility delivers children's advocacy in several areas and its helpline can point you to the right local service. 3. If you are unhappy with NHS care or treatment connected to your family case, VoiceAbility's NHS complaints advocacy can help you navigate the complaints process. 4. Check eligibility early. Statutory advocacy has legal eligibility rules. The helpline (0300 303 1660) can tell you what you may be entitled to in your area. 5. Combine with legal help. Advocacy complements, but does not replace, a solicitor or family law advice service such as Coram Children's Legal Centre.
Useful links
- VoiceAbility homepage: https://www.voiceability.org
- Contact the helpline: https://www.voiceability.org/support-and-help/contact-the-helpline
- About advocacy: https://www.voiceability.org/about-advocacy
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.