Glossery Of Terms
Glossary of Support Terms
We understand that some of the words and phrases used across support services can feel unfamiliar or confusing. This glossary explains key terms in a simple and accessible way, helping people, families, carers and professionals better understand the language used around advocacy, safeguarding, domestic abuse, gambling harm, mental health and person-centred support.
Advocacy
Advocacy is support that helps people understand their rights, express their views, and make informed decisions. An advocate works alongside someone to ensure their voice is heard and their wishes are respected.
Adult Safeguarding
The process of protecting adults who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm.
Affected Others
Family members, partners, friends, carers, or colleagues who are impacted by someone else's gambling.
Capacity
A person's ability to understand information, make decisions, and communicate those decisions.
Care Plan
A document that outlines a person's needs, goals, and the support or services they will receive.
Coercive Control
A pattern of behaviour used to control, intimidate, isolate, or dominate another person.
Consent
Permission given freely and voluntarily after receiving sufficient information to make an informed decision.
Domestic Abuse
Any pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, violent, or abusive behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected. This can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, or digital abuse.
Dual Diagnosis
When someone experiences both a mental health condition and substance misuse issues at the same time.
Economic Abuse
A form of abuse where someone controls, exploits, or restricts another person's access to money, finances, or economic resources.
Gambling Harm
The negative effects gambling can have on individuals, families, relationships, finances, health, employment, and communities.
Harm Reduction
Practical approaches designed to reduce the negative consequences associated with behaviours such as substance use or gambling, without necessarily requiring complete abstinence.
Honour-Based Abuse
Abuse committed to protect or defend the perceived honour of a family or community.
IDVA
Independent Domestic Violence Adviser. A specialist professional who supports people experiencing domestic abuse, helping them to increase safety, understand their options, and access appropriate services.
Independent Advocate
A trained professional who provides impartial support and is independent from health, social care, housing, or other decision-making services.
IMCA
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate. An advocate appointed to support and represent people who lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions and who do not have family or friends to represent them.
IMHA
Independent Mental Health Advocate. An advocate who supports people receiving treatment under the Mental Health Act, helping them understand their rights and participate in decisions about their care.
IMSA
Independent Modern Slavery Advocate. An advocate who provides specialist, independent support to people who have experienced or are at risk of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation.
ISVA
Independent Sexual Violence Adviser. A specialist adviser who provides support to people affected by sexual violence, regardless of whether they choose to report the offence to the police.
Lived Experience
Knowledge and understanding gained through personal experience of a particular issue, service, or life circumstance.
MARAC
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. A meeting where agencies share information and coordinate support to protect individuals at high risk of serious harm from domestic abuse.
Mental Capacity
A person's ability to understand, retain, weigh up information, and communicate a decision.
Peer Support
Support provided by someone who has personal experience of similar challenges or circumstances.
Person-Centred Support
An approach that places the individual's wishes, strengths, needs, and goals at the centre of support planning and delivery.
Self-Advocacy
When people speak up for themselves, express their views, and make decisions about their own lives.
Self-Exclusion
A voluntary agreement that allows a person to restrict or block their access to gambling services.
Signposting
Providing information about other organisations, services, or resources that may be able to offer support.
Social Prescribing
A way of connecting people to non-medical support, activities, and community services that can improve health and wellbeing.
Stalking
Repeated, unwanted behaviour directed at someone that causes fear, distress, or concern for their safety.
Trauma-Informed Practice
An approach that recognises the impact of trauma and seeks to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments.
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