First Annual Report published by the Office of the Independent Public Advocate
The Office of the Independent Public Advocate (IPA) has today published its first Annual Report setting out how the new world-first role was established and brought into operation in its first four months.
The report, which has been laid before Parliament, sets out the rapid establishment of the Office, its early work and the urgent need for independent advocacy in the aftermath of major incidents.
Within days of taking up post, the IPA was deployed for the first time following the attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on 2 October 2025, bringing the role immediately into operation at a moment of acute trauma. This early deployment provided direct insight into the challenges faced by those affected and the importance of clear, coordinated and compassionate support from the outset.
Alongside this deployment, the report outlines how the Office has been established at pace – engaging with affected individuals and support organisations, building relationships across government and public bodies, and beginning to identify early lessons in delivering effective advocacy.
“For too long, victims, survivors, and bereaved families have been left to navigate complex, fragmented and often adversarial systems at the very moment they are dealing with grief, trauma and uncertainty. That is not good enough. The burden of seeking support, truth and accountability must rest with the system, not on the shoulders of those already carrying the greatest loss.
“Even in the first four months covered by this report, the need for an independent advocate has been abundantly clear. My role is to address the power imbalance between those affected and the systems they must navigate – ensuring they can understand what is happening, that their experiences are not pushed to the margins, and that public bodies respond with candour, dignity and care.”
The report sets out the Office’s early progress, including the rapid establishment of core functions during its first deployment. It details how interim systems, governance and a casework function were put in place to support early engagement with victims and families, while underscoring a key lesson: independent advocacy cannot be built only after a major incident. The relationships, systems, specialist support and trauma-informed must be established in advance. Delivering Parliament’s intent will therefore require the Office to be resourced as a standing public safeguard, ready when needed.
The report also highlights extensive engagement with victims, survivors and bereaved families affected by both recent and non-recent major incidents, as well as legal practitioners, advocacy organisations and parliamentarians to inform the Office’s development and approach.
This work has provided critical insight into the continued challenges people face after major incidents, including:
- The cumulative burden of navigating multiple investigations, inquests and accountability processes over time
- The risk that fragmented and poorly coordinated systems can compound, rather than alleviate harm
- Persistent imbalances of power between individuals and public bodies
- The need for advocacy that is trauma-informed, independent and focused on simplifying engagement with the system
The publication comes at a time of wider focus on transparency and accountability in public life, including Parliamentary consideration of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as Hillsborough Law. Together, these developments point to the same essential principle: that candour, transparency and accountability must be embedded in institutions and, most importantly, experienced by those affected.
The Office will continue to build on these foundations, with a focus on preparedness, coordination and ensuring independent advocacy is an established and effective part of the response to major incidents.