Understanding advocacy, what it is, the aims of advocacy, different types of advocacy, who can be a great advocate, why an advocate may be needed, what an advocate can do, steps to engage an advocate and how to report an advocate if they are not representing your rights.
3. What is advocacy?
Advocacy is the process of standing alongside an
individual who is disadvantaged, and speaking out
on their behalf in a way that represents the best
interests of that person.
4. What is the aim of advocacy?
The aim of advocacy is to bring about beneficial
outcomes in a way that enables the client to retain
as much control as possible over how it is carried
out.
5. Advocacy involves:
• Being on the individual’s side and no-one else’s ƒ
• Being primarily concerned with their
fundamental needs ƒ
• Remaining loyal and accountable to the
individual
6. Different types of advocacy
• Individual Advocacy
• Citizen Advocacy
• Systems Advocacy
• Parent Advocacy
• Self-Advocacy
12. Advocacy is a mechanism to facilitate
client rights
Some people may experience difficulty speaking
up for themselves.
13. What does an advocate do?
An advocate may provide information and advice
in order to assist a person to take action to resolve
their own concerns, or may take a more active role
in representing the person’s rights to another
person or organisation.
14. Advocates can:
• Assist the client to access services
• Assist the client to change services
• Ensure that the service chosen is appropriate
• Communicate with the service provider
• Negotiate suitable resolutions where a complaint
or dispute has arisen
15. An advocate can support your right to:
• Information to inform decision making
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Respect and dignity
• Choice and control
• Quality services
16. An advocate can support your right to:
• Make and resolve complaints
• Non-discriminatory service
• Protection of legal and human rights, and freedom
from abuse and neglect
17. HOW TO REPORT AN
ADVOCATE IF THEY ARE NOT
REPRESENTING YOUR RIGHTS
18. How to report an advocate if they are
not representing your rights
• Make a complaint to the organisation they are
representing
20. Steps to engage an advocate
1. Select your partners carefully
2. Be clear on your desired outcome
3. Never assume anything
21. Steps to engage an advocate
4. Set specific time lines as well as trial time
frames
5. Give written permission to act on your behalf
6. Allow for exit clauses
