What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means providing support and
empowerment tailored to each person’s unique situation. It’s about standing by
someone’s side, respecting their rights, and helping them make informed choices
on their terms. Advocacy is not the same as care work or support work. For
example, an advocate cannot help someone clean their house or go shopping.
Instead, they focus on ensuring the person’s voice is heard and their rights
are upheld.
Advocacy is the act of supporting, empowering, and
standing up for individuals or groups—especially those who may struggle to
speak for themselves. It involves helping people express their views,
understand their rights, make informed decisions, and have their voices heard.
The Role of an
Advocate
An advocate
helps clients by:
·
Listening to their needs and concerns
·
Supporting them to express their views
·
Empowering them to make informed choices
·
Encouraging self-confidence and independence
·
Representing them when needed (e.g., in meetings or legal
settings)
Advocates do not make decisions for clients but help them understand their
options and speak up for what they want.
Forms of Advocacy
Advocacy can take many forms, including:
·
Individual
(One-to-One) Advocacy: Supporting someone in a specific situation
(e.g., accessing services, benefit appeals).
·
Group Advocacy: Supporting a group with shared concerns or
goals.
·
Self-Advocacy: Encouraging individuals to speak up for
themselves.
·
Peer Advocacy: When someone with similar experiences helps
another person.
·
Public Advocacy: Speaking out on broader issues to create
change in policy or society.
Examples of Advocacy
Activities
·
Lobbying for changes in law or policy
·
Supporting benefit
appeals and legal rights
·
Public speaking and storytelling to raise awareness
·
Writing letters, emails, or articles to influence
decisions
·
Organizing community
events or awareness campaigns
·
Building client
confidence and skills
·
Researching issues and publishing findings
·
Working with others in coalitions or campaigns
Advocacy in Action
Advocacy might involve:
·
Helping someone understand and access their
legal rights
·
Supporting a person to speak in a care plan
meeting
·
Campaigning for better services or inclusion in
the community
·
Raising awareness of hidden disabilities or
mental health issues
1 Voice's Definition of Advocacy
“Advocacy is a tool to support people so that
they can accept responsibility for their situation. It’s about knowing when to
support and when to empower someone to act for themselves.”
My Definition of Advocacy
· Self-Advocacy: Speaking up to yourself and
making your own choices.
· Peer Advocacy: Supporting someone else to speak
up and make their own decisions.
· Group Advocacy: Speaking up for the rights of
others, for example, campaigning against unfair changes to the benefits system.
Aims of Advocacy
· Empower people to build their skills and
confidence.
· Support clients in becoming more independent
and self-aware.
· Make complex information easier to understand.
· Speak up with clients only when they choose and
request it.
· Encourage clients to think for themselves and
make their own informed decisions.
Key Principles of Advocacy
Equal Opportunities
Advocacy must be open to all. Advocacy schemes
should have a clear Equal Opportunities Policy and actively tackle
discrimination, inequality, and social exclusion.
Independence
Advocacy services should be independent from
service providers and other statutory bodies, reducing conflicts of interest.
This ensures the advocate works only for the client.
Putting People First
Clients’ wishes must come first. Advocates
should be respectful, non-judgmental, and committed to listening to the person
they support.
Support for Advocates
Advocates need proper training and ongoing
support to develop the skills and confidence needed for their role.
Code of Conduct
A code of conduct sets out clear rules and
expectations for advocates. It helps them know:
· What they can and cannot do.
· How to best support their clients.
· That they must follow the client's lead and act
with respect.
· They should not share their personal opinions
or pressure clients into decisions.
Instructed Advocacy
This type of advocacy is based on the client’s
instructions. Advocates should:
· Use clear, accessible information.
· Help clients understand their options without
giving direct advice.
· Listen and offer support, not make decisions
for the client.
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