Easy Read Chapter: Ways People Support Others
Chapter Introduction
This
chapter explains different ways people support others.
Some
people work in:
Advocacy
Counselling
Mentoring
Coaching
You
can: Some people do one of these roles. Some people do more than one
role. Some people do all of these roles.
You do not need to work in all of them.
Read the whole
chapter
Or only read the
section that fits your role
This
chapter helps to:
Explain the
differences
Reduce confusion
Support learning at
your own pace
Section 1: Advocacy
Advocacy
means:
Speaking up
Supporting people
with their rights
Helping people be
treated fairly
Advocacy
is not counselling and not therapy.
What advocacy can include
Advocacy
may include:
Helping someone speak
up for themselves
Supporting someone in
meetings
Helping with forms or
letters
Explaining rights and
services
Types of advocacy (examples)
Self-advocacy –
speaking up for yourself
Individual advocacy –
supporting one person
Citizen advocacy –
long-term volunteer support
Legal advocacy –
support with the law
Systems advocacy –
changing services or rules
📘 Advocacy Training
Module
Text + Knowledge Questions
PART 1 — MODULE
TEXT
1.
What is Advocacy?
2.
3. The definition of Advocacy is about **support and empowerment**.
It helps people have their voice heard and make their own choices, depending on
their individual situation. It is always the person’s choice: - If they want an
advocate - When they want support - How involved the advocate should be An
**Advocacy Worker** has a different role from carers or support workers. For
example, an advocate does **not**: - Clean someone’s house - Go shopping for
them - Provide personal care Instead, the advocate focuses on: - Rights -
Choices - Fair treatment - Being heard The person’s interests must always come
first. ---
4.
2. 1 Voice’s Definition of Advocacy is a tool to support
people so they can: - Take responsibility for their own situation - Know when
they need support - Feel empowered to do things for themselves It is about
balancing **support and independence
5.
3. Types of Advocacy (My Definition) **Self-Advocacy** Making
your own choices and speaking up for yourself. **Peer Advocacy** Supporting and
empowering others to make their own choices. **Group Advocacy** Speaking up for
the rights of a group of people. Example: Challenging issues in the benefits
system. --- ## 4. Aims of Advocacy - Empower clients to build skills - Support
clients to feel confident - Explain information in an easy way - Speak up only
if the client asks - Help clients think and decide for themselves --- ## 5.
Equal Opportunities Equal opportunities means giving everyone the same rights
and chances. Advocacy schemes must: - Challenge inequality - Challenge
discrimination - Reduce social exclusion - Be proactive in promoting fairness
--- ## 6. Independence Advocacy schemes should promote independence by: -
Encouraging clients to do things themselves - Remaining independent from
service providers - Avoiding conflicts of interest - Acting only in the
client’s best interests --- ## 7. Putting People First The client must always
come first. Advocates must: - Follow the client’s wishes - Respect views and
experiences - Be non-judgmental - Support, not control --- ## 8. Supporting
Advocates should receive: - Training - Supervision - Ongoing support - Skill
development opportunities This helps them provide the best service possible.
--- ## 9. Code of Conduct A Code of Conduct is a set of rules for staff and
volunteers. It helps advocates understand: - Their role - Professional
boundaries - What they can and cannot do. Advocates should: - Take instruction
from service users - Respect plans and opinions - Act with dignity and respect
--- ## 10. Instructed Advocacy. Instructed advocacy means acting on the client’s
wishes. Advocates must: - Provide up-to-date information - Use Easy Read
formats - Help clients make informed choices - Listen without judgement
Advocates must **not**: - Give personal opinions - Force decisions - Make
choices for the client --- ## 11. Key Principles of Advocacy ### Accessibility
Information must be: - Easy to read - Easy to understand - Available in
different formats Advocacy services should be: - Free to eligible people -
Accessible to the whole community --- ### Accountability Advocacy schemes must
have: - Monitoring systems - Evaluation processes - Named advocates for clients
- Contact systems --- ### Complaints Clients must be able to complain if
unhappy. This ensures: - Feedback - Service improvement - Access to external
support if needed --- ### Confidentiality Advocacy schemes must have
confidentiality policies explaining: - How information is stored - When
confidentiality may be breached --- ## 12. The Six Stages of Advocacy 1.
**Presenting the Problem** Client explains the issue. 2. **Research** Advocate
gathers information. 3. **Analysis & Feedback** Advocate explains options
and consequences. 4. **Negotiation** Advocate supports discussions. 5. **Action
Planning** Steps are agreed with the client. 6. **Litigation (Last Resort) **
Legal action if necessary. This can be stressful and expensive. --- ## 13.
Listening Skills Many people with learning disabilities find self-advocacy
difficult, especially if they have not been believed in the past. Advocates
must use **active listening**. --- ### Aspects of Active Listening - Nodding -
Eye contact - Open posture - Facing the client - Showing interest Body language
shows honesty and respect. --- ### Open vs Closed Questions **Open: ** “What do
you think about the Royal Family?” **Closed: ** “Do you like the Royal Family?”
--- ## 14. Mirroring means reflecting body language or tone. Examples: -
Crossing legs when they do - Matching posture - Matching tone This can build
trust and rapport. --- ## 15. Communication Methods Different people need
different communication styles. Examples include: - British Sign Language (BSL)
- Braille - Makaton - Talking Mats - Widgit Symbols - Symbol World - Clear for
All - Singalong (Autism support). Accessible communication improves
understanding. --- ## 16. Importance of Research ### Case Study Example A daughter
is worried about her mother’s care home treatment after a stroke. Concerns
include poor personal care. --- ### Gathering Evidence The daughter could: -
Record dates and times - Keep notes - Take photos (if appropriate) --- ###
Advocacy Options - Contact Age UK - Speak to the care home manager - Write a
complaint letter - Contact CQC (Care Quality Commission) --- ## 17. Providing
Feedback Advocates must give: - Honest information - Positive and negative
outcomes - Clear consequences Information must be accessible: - Easy Read -
Audio - Clear writing - No jargon --- ## 18. Negotiation vs Advocacy: Sometimes
both are needed. ### Example Situations **Utility Debt (£250 bill)** - Check if
debt is correct - Negotiate instalments **DSS Grant Refusal** - Check entitlement
- Negotiate partial funding **Hospital Waiting List** - Advocate based on medical urgency
**Housing Transfer Refusal** - Negotiate arrears plan - Advocate for care needs
--- ## 19. Negotiation Strategy Case Study: John’s wife Anna died in the hospital
from cardiac arrest. He later learned she had a **Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)** order.
John was unaware due to confidentiality. --- ### Advocate’s Role - Explain
legal position - Clarify no wrongdoing - Support emotional concerns - Arrange
discussion with hospital Negotiation may focus on: - Explanations - Apologies -
Emotional closure --- ## 20. Summary: Advocacy is about: - Rights - Voice -
Choice - Empowerment - Independence. Advocates do not take over — they support
people to be heard and make their own decisions. --- **End of Module*
6.
What is Advocacy?
7.
Advocacy
is about support and empowerment. It helps people have their voice heard
and make their own choices, depending on their situation.
It
is always the person’s choice:
If they want an
advocate
When they want
support
How involved should the
advocate be
An
Advocacy Worker has a different role from carers or support workers.
Advocates
do not:
Clean houses
Do shopping
Provide personal care
Their
role is to focus on:
Rights
Choices
Fairness
Being heard
2. Definition of Advocacy (1 Voice)
Advocacy
supports people to:
Take responsibility
for their situation
Know when to ask for
help
Feel empowered to act
independently
3. Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy
Speaking up and making your own decisions.
Peer
Advocacy
Supporting others to make their own choices.
Group
Advocacy
Speaking up for groups of people.
Example: Benefit system issues.
4. Aims of Advocacy
Build client
confidence
Develop skills
Explain information
clearly
Speak up if requested
Promote independent
thinking
5. Equal Opportunities
Advocacy
services must:
Challenge
discrimination
Promote fairness
Reduce social
exclusion
Provide equal access
6. Independence
Advocacy
schemes should:
Encourage
independence
Avoid conflicts of
interest
Remain separate from
service providers
7. Putting People First
Advocates
must:
Follow the client’s
wishes
Be respectful
Be non-judgemental
Value lived
experience
8. Supporting Advocates
Advocates
receive:
Training
Supervision
Skills development
Ongoing support
9. Code of Conduct
A
Code of Conduct explains:
Professional
behaviour
Boundaries
Responsibilities
Advocates
must:
Follow client
instructions
Respect opinions
Act with dignity
10. Instructed Advocacy
This
means acting on what the client wants.
Advocates
must:
Provide accessible
information
Support informed
decisions
Listen carefully
They
must not:
Give personal advice
Force decisions
Override client
wishes
11. Key Principles
Accessibility
Information
should be:
Easy Read
Clear
Jargon-free
Services
should be free and inclusive.
Accountability
Schemes
must have:
Monitoring systems
Named advocates
Contact processes
Complaints
Clients
can complain if unhappy.
This improves services.
Confidentiality
Policies
explain:
How information is
stored
When it may be shared
12. Six Stages of Advocacy
Presenting the
problem
Research
Analysis &
feedback
Negotiation
Action planning
Litigation (last
resort)
13. Listening Skills
Active
listening includes:
Eye contact
Nodding
Open posture
Showing interest
14. Communication Methods
Examples:
BSL
Braille
Makaton
Talking Mats
Widgit
Symbol World
Clear for All
15. Research & Casework
Advocates
may:
Gather evidence
Record dates
Contact organisations
Support complaints
Example:
Care home safeguarding concerns.
16. Negotiation vs Advocacy
Sometimes
both are used.
Examples:
Debt repayment plans
Benefit refusals
Housing transfers
Medical waiting lists
17. Negotiation Case Study
Example:
DNR hospital case.
Advocate
role:
Explain legal
position
Support emotions
Arrange meetings
Seek resolution
PART 2 —
KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS
Section A — Short Answer
What is advocacy?
Who decides when
advocacy support is used?
Name one difference
between an advocate and a carer.
What is
self-advocacy?
What is group
advocacy?
Give two aims of
advocacy.
What does equal
opportunities mean?
Why is independence
important in advocacy?
What is a Code of
Conduct?
What is instructed
advocacy?
Section B — Multiple Choice
1.
Advocacy focuses on:
A. Doing tasks for people
B. Empowering people
C. Managing finances
D. Cleaning homes
2.
Who makes decisions in advocacy?
A. Advocate
B. Family
C. Client
D. Support worker
3.
Litigation means:
A. Negotiation
B. Legal action
C. Complaints
D. Mediation
4.
Accessibility means:
A. Expensive services
B. Easy-to-understand information
C. Staff training
D. Office buildings
Section C — Scenario Questions
1.
Debt Letter Scenario
A client receives a £250 electricity bill that they cannot afford.
What should the
advocate do first?
What negotiation
options exist?
2.
Care Home Concern
A daughter is worried about her mother’s care.
What evidence could
be gathered?
Who could be
contacted?
3.
Hospital Waiting List
A client faces a 12-month wait for treatment.
When might advocacy
be used?
What factors matter?
Section D — Communication &
Listening
Name two active
listening skills.
What is mirroring?
Give one example of
an open question.
Name two alternative
communication methods.
Section E — Discussion Questions
Why is it important that advocates do not give personal opinions?
How can advocacy
empower people long-term?
When might litigation
be necessary?
What challenges do
people with learning disabilities face in self-advocacy?
Trainer / Assessor Activity
Group role-play
advocacy scenarios
Practice negotiation
conversations
Create Easy Read
information
Analyse real case
studies
End
of Module — Text + Questions
