IEP / 504 Plan
Families / Schools / Communities
Learning about the diagnosis / condition
Helps them support the individual
Communication / Problem-solving / Emotional regulation
Empowerment, support, independence, removing barriers
Image suggestion: Quiz icon / question mark
Slide 16 – Level 2 Summary
Advocacy + Counselling = holistic support
Supports independence and mental health
Families and systems are included
Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence
Image suggestion: Stars / empowerment symbol
Easy Read Design Tips
Use large font (28+), Arial or Calibri
Short sentences, bullet points
Symbols (Widgit / Boardmaker)
High contrast colours
Calm, uncluttered layout
Easy Read PowerPoint – Advocacy & Counselling (Level 1 & 2)
SLIDE 1 – Title Slide
Title: Advocacy & Counselling Skills
Subtitle: Learning Disabilities & Mental Health – Level 1 & 2
Include: Organisation name, Trainer name, Date
Image: People supporting each other
SLIDE 2 – Learning Outcomes
By the end you will:
Understand what advocacy means
Know what counselling is
Learn different advocacy levels
Understand empowerment vs support
Recognize why advocacy matters
Image: Checklist / learning symbol
LEVEL 1 – Awareness
SLIDE 3 – What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means:
Speaking up for yourself or others 🗣
Helping people know their rights 📘
Removing barriers 🚪
Challenging unfair treatment ⚖️
SLIDE 4 – What is Counselling?
Counselling is talking support 💬
It helps people:
Share feelings ❤️
Talk about worries 😟
Feel listened to 👂
Learn coping skills 🎯
SLIDE 5 – Why People Need Advocacy
Some people face:
Discrimination ❌
Communication barriers 🗨️
School/work difficulties 🏫💼
Access issues 🏥
Advocates help solve these problems.
SLIDE 6 – Why People Need Counselling
People may experience:
Anxiety 😟
Depression 😔
Trauma ⚠️
Bullying 😢
Low self-esteem 💔
Counselling supports emotional recovery.
SLIDE 7 – Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy: Speaking up for yourself
Individual Advocacy: Someone speaks up for one person
Peer Advocacy: Support from someone with lived experience
Citizen Advocacy: Volunteer advocates helping vulnerable people
Professional Advocacy: Paid professionals supporting rights
SLIDE 8 – Types of Counselling Support
One-to-One: Private sessions
Group Counselling: People share experiences
Family Counselling: Supports the whole family
Specialist Counselling: Focused on disability, trauma, or mental health
SLIDE 9 – Key Differences
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Focuses on rights
|
Focuses on feelings
|
Challenges systems
|
Builds coping skills
|
Practical support
|
Psychological support
|
External change
|
Internal change
|
SLIDE 10 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Find voice
Know rights
Make decisions
Gain independence
Counselling = Emotional Support
Heal emotionally
Understand feelings
Build confidence
Manage stress
SLIDE 11 – Public & Professional Advocacy
Public Advocacy: Educates, reduces stigma, raises awareness 🌍
Professional Advocacy: Supports fair pay, safe workloads, professional
recognition 💼
SLIDE 12 – Level 1 Knowledge Check
Questions:
What is advocacy?
Who do counsellors advocate for?
What is empowerment?
Give one example of advocacy
Answers:
Speaking up / rights support
Clients / students
Helping people find their voice
School support / adjustments
LEVEL 2 – Deeper Understanding
SLIDE 13 – Systemic Advocacy
Changing systems:
School policies 🏫
Healthcare access 🏥
Funding services 💰
Anti-discrimination law ⚖️
SLIDE 14 – Legislative Advocacy
Counsellors may:
Lobby government 🏛️
Support new laws 📜
Campaign for funding 💸
Promote mental health parity 🧠
SLIDE 15 – Levels of Advocacy
Individual: Supporting one client
Group: Therapy / disability groups
Community: Local programs, school projects
Societal/Political: Policy change, law reform, national campaigns
SLIDE 16 – Working with Clients
Collaboration 🤝
Listening to client voice 👂
Building personal power 💪
Challenging injustice together ⚖️
SLIDE 17 – Why Advocacy Matters
Advocacy helps:
Remove barriers 🚪
Improve access to care 🏥
Promote equality ⚖️
Support wellbeing ❤️
SLIDE 18 – Social Justice Role
Counsellors consider:
Culture 🌍
Disability ♿
Inequality ❌
Discrimination ⚠️
Ethical practice includes advocacy.
SLIDE 19 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Rights focus
|
Feelings focus
|
Action focus
|
Emotional healing
|
System change
|
Coping support
|
SLIDE 20 – Key Messages
Advocacy removes barriers 🚪
Counselling supports emotions 💬
Both empower clients 💪
Both improve wellbeing ❤️
SLIDE 21 – Level 2 Knowledge Check
Questions:
What is systemic advocacy?
Name one advocacy level
What is legislative advocacy?
Why is advocacy important?
How do counsellors empower clients?
Answers:
Changing systems/policies
Individual / Group / Community / Societal
Lobbying for law or funding change
Removes barriers / promotes equality
Building voice, confidence, rights knowledge
SLIDE 22 – Thank You Slide
Thank you for attending
Questions welcome
Support is available
Image: Support / teamwork symbol
Design Notes for Easy Read
Large font (28+)
Plain English
Symbols on every slide (Widgit/Boardmaker style)
Calm colours
High contrast text
Easy Read PowerPoint – Advocacy & Counselling (Levels 1–3)
LEVEL 1 – Awareness
SLIDE 1 – Title Slide
Advocacy & Counselling Skills
Learning Disabilities & Mental Health – Level 1 & 2
Image: People supporting each other
SLIDE 2 – Learning Outcomes
By the end you will:
Understand advocacy and counselling
Know why people need support
Learn empowerment vs emotional support
Recognize knowledge check questions
Image: Checklist symbol
SLIDE 3 – Why People Need Advocacy
People with LD or mental health needs may face:
Discrimination ❌
Lack of school support 🏫
Work barriers 💼
Communication difficulties 🗣
Service access problems 🏥
Advocacy helps fix these.
SLIDE 4 – Why People Need Counselling
People may experience:
Anxiety 😟
Depression 😔
Trauma ⚠️
Bullying 😢
Low confidence 💔
Counselling supports emotional wellbeing.
SLIDE 5 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Builds voice
Promotes independence
Supports rights
Counselling = Emotional Support
Heals feelings
Builds coping skills
Improves wellbeing
SLIDE 6 – Level 1 Knowledge Check
Questions:
What is advocacy?
What is counselling?
Name one reason someone needs advocacy.
Name one reason someone needs counselling.
Which focuses on rights?
Answers:
Speaking up / rights support
Talking emotional support
Barriers / discrimination
Anxiety / depression
Advocacy
LEVEL 2 – Skills & Types
SLIDE 7 – Types of Advocacy
Self-advocacy – speaking up yourself 🗣
Individual advocacy – one person support 👤
Peer advocacy – lived experience support 👥
Professional advocacy – trained advocates 💼
Citizen advocacy – volunteer support 🙋♂️🙋♀️
SLIDE 8 – Levels of Advocacy
Counsellors work at:
Individual level
Group level
Community level
Societal / political level ⚖️
May include law or policy change.
SLIDE 9 – Systemic Advocacy
Changing systems:
School policies 🏫
Mental health funding 💰
Disability access ♿
Anti-discrimination laws ⚖️
Helps many people, not just one.
SLIDE 10 – Professional Advocacy
Counsellors advocate for:
Their profession 🏛️
Fair pay 💵
Safe workloads ⚠️
Service funding 💰
Better staff support = better client care.
SLIDE 11 – Public Information
Advocacy includes:
Awareness campaigns 📢
Education 📚
Reducing stigma 🚫
Promoting inclusion 🌍
SLIDE 12 – Basic Counselling Skills
Counsellors use listening skills to understand clients:
Active listening 👂
Building rapport 🤝
Non-judgement ❌
Empathy ❤️
These skills build trust.
SLIDE 13 – Core Counselling Skills
Attending: Giving full attention 👀
Silence: Allow thinking time ⏳
Reflecting / Paraphrasing: Repeat meaning back 🔄
Clarifying: Ask open questions ❓
Focusing: Choose key issues 🎯
Summarising: Bring themes together 📋
SLIDE 14 – Level 2 Knowledge Check
Questions:
Name one type of advocacy
What is systemic advocacy?
Give one example of public advocacy
What is active listening?
Name one counselling skill
Answers:
Self / Peer / Professional
Changing systems
Awareness campaign
Listening fully
Reflecting / clarifying / summarising
LEVEL 3 – Practice & Safety
SLIDE 15 – Working Together
Advocacy and counselling often work together 🤝
Advocate helps with systems (IEP, benefits) 🏫💰
Counsellor supports emotional response 😟
Creates holistic support for the person 🌟
SLIDE 16 – Safety & Boundaries
Counsellors / advocates must:
Keep people safe ⚠️
Respect personal boundaries 🚪
Know when to refer on 🔄
Avoid giving advice outside their role ❌
SLIDE 17 – Referral Pathways
Serious mental health issues 🏥
Suicide risk ⚠️
Complex legal / safeguarding concerns ⚖️
Use local support services and supervisors for guidance
SLIDE 18 – Confidentiality & Ethics
Respect privacy 🔒
Share information only when safe / legal ✅
Follow organisation policies 📘
Uphold ethical standards ⚖️
SLIDE 19 – Review of Skills & Knowledge
Advocacy = Rights / Systems / Empowerment 🗣
Counselling = Feelings / Coping / Emotional Support ❤️
Listen actively 👂
Work with families 👪
Know referral procedures 🔄
SLIDE 20 – Level 3 Knowledge Check
Questions:
How do advocacy and counselling work together?
Name one safety consideration
Give one reason to refer on
Name one core counselling skill
Why is confidentiality important
Answers:
Rights support + emotional support
Boundaries / risk assessment
Suicide risk / complex crisis
Active listening / reflecting / summarising
Protects privacy / builds trust
SLIDE 21 – Thank You Slide
Thank you for attending
Questions welcome
Support contacts available
Image: Support / teamwork symbol
Design Notes:
Large font 28+
Plain English
Symbols/icons on every slide
Calm colors, high contrast text
Easy Read Training Module
Advocacy & Counselling
Learning Disabilities & Mental Health
LEVEL 1 – AWARENESS
1. What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means speaking up.
It can be:
Speaking up for yourself
Speaking up for others
Helping people know their rights
Challenging unfair treatment
Advocacy removes barriers
2. What is Counselling?
Counselling is emotional talking support.
It helps people:
Share feelings
Talk about worries
Feel listened to
Learn coping skills
Counselling supports wellbeing.
3. Why People Need Advocacy
People with learning disabilities (LD) or mental health needs may face:
Discrimination
Lack of school support
Work barriers
Communication difficulties
Service access problems
Advocates help fix these problems.
4. Why People Need Counselling
People may experience:
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Bullying
Low confidence
Counselling supports emotional wellbeing.
5. Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy – speaking up for yourself
Example: “I need extra time in exams.”
Individual Advocacy – one person support
Example: Support worker helping with benefits
Peer Advocacy – lived experience support
Example: Autistic mentor supporting autistic client
Citizen Advocacy – volunteer support
Professional Advocacy – trained, paid advocates
Example: School advocate or social worker
6. Types of Counselling Support
One-to-One Counselling – private talking sessions
Group Counselling – share experiences together
Family Counselling – supports the whole family
Specialist Counselling – focused on disability, trauma, or mental health
7. Key Differences: Advocacy vs Counselling
Easy Read Training Module
Advocacy & Counselling – Learning Disabilities & Mental Health
LEVEL 1 – AWARENESS
1. What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means speaking up.
It can be:
Speaking up for yourself
Speaking up for others
Helping people know their rights
Challenging unfair treatment
Advocacy removes barriers
2. What is Counselling?
Counselling is emotional talking support.
It helps people:
Share feelings
Talk about worries
Feel listened to
Learn coping skills
Counselling supports wellbeing.
3. Why People Need Advocacy
People with learning disabilities (LD) or mental health needs may face:
Discrimination
Lack of school support
Work barriers
Communication difficulties
Service access problems
Advocates help fix these problems.
4. Why People Need Counselling
People may experience:
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Bullying
Low confidence
Counselling supports emotional wellbeing.
5. Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy – speaking up for yourself
Example: “I need extra time in exams.”
Individual Advocacy – one person support
Example: Support worker helping with benefits
Peer Advocacy – lived experience support
Example: Autistic mentor supporting autistic client
Citizen Advocacy – volunteer support
Professional Advocacy – trained, paid advocates
Example: School advocate or social worker
6. Types of Counselling Support
One-to-One Counselling – private talking sessions
Group Counselling – share experiences together
Family Counselling – supports the whole family
Specialist Counselling – focused on disability, trauma, or mental health
7. Key Differences: Advocacy vs Counselling
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Focuses on rights
|
Focuses on feelings
|
Challenges systems
|
Supports mental health
|
Removes barriers
|
Builds coping skills
|
Speaks up
|
Listens therapeutically
|
8. Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Helps people find their voice
Know their rights
Make decisions
Gain independence
Counselling = Emotional Support
Heals feelings
Understand feelings
Build confidence
Manage stress
Level 1 Knowledge Check
What does advocacy mean?
What does counselling help with?
Name one type of advocacy.
Name one type of counselling.
Which focuses on rights?
Which focuses on feelings?
Why might someone need an advocate?
Why might someone need counselling?
Answers:
Speaking up / rights support
Feelings / mental health
Self / Peer / Citizen / Professional
One-to-One / Group / Family
Advocacy
Counselling
Barriers / discrimination / access issues
Anxiety / depression / trauma
LEVEL 2 – DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
9. Working Together
Advocacy and counselling often work together.
Example:
Advocate gets school support
Counsellor supports anxiety about school
This creates holistic support.
10. System Navigation
Advocates help with:
IEP Plans
504 Plans
Disability benefits
Workplace adjustments
Legal rights
Counsellors support emotional impact of these systems.
11. Benefits for People with Disabilities
Increased independence
Improved confidence
Reduced isolation
Better education outcomes
Support with employment
12. Mental Health Benefits
Reduce anxiety
Improve mood
Build resilience
Develop coping skills
Prevent crisis situations
13. Family Benefits
Families gain:
Education about conditions
Emotional support
Advocacy guidance
Communication skills
14. People with Lived Experience Working in the Field
Many advocates and counsellors have:
Learning disabilities
Autism
ADHD
Mental health lived experience
Benefits:
Understanding
Empathy
Relatability
Role modelling
Hope for others (“If they can do it, so can I.”)
15. Employment & Inclusion Benefits
Working in advocacy/counselling helps:
Disability representation
Inclusive workplaces
Service accessibility
Policy improvement
“Nothing about us without us”
16. Skills Needed in the Field
Advocacy Skills:
Communication
Rights knowledge
Confidence
Negotiation
Safeguarding awareness
Counselling Skills:
Listening
Empathy
Confidentiality
Emotional regulation
Boundaries
17. Key Messages – Level 2
Advocacy empowers voices
Counselling heals emotions
Both remove barriers
Both promote independence
Lived experience is powerful
Level 2 Knowledge Check
How do advocacy and counselling work together?
Name one system advocates help navigate.
Give one benefit of receiving advocacy.
Give one mental health benefit of counselling.
How do families benefit?
Why is lived experience valuable?
Name one advocacy skill.
Name one counselling skill.
What does holistic support mean?
Why is disability representation important?
Answers:
Rights support + emotional support
IEP / Benefits / Workplace adjustments
Independence / confidence / access
Reduced anxiety / improved mood
Education / emotional support
Understanding & relatability
Communication / negotiation
Listening / empathy
Whole-person support
Inclusion & accessibility
LEVEL 3 – PRACTICE & SAFETY
18. Health & Safety in Counselling
Keep clients safe
Follow workplace policies
Report concerns
Work within role limits
19. Safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting people from harm.
Includes:
Abuse
Neglect
Exploitation
Self-harm risk
Concerns must be reported.
20. Confidentiality & Boundaries
Keep information private
Only share if risk exists
Maintain professional boundaries
Safety overrides secrecy
21. Risk Management
Assess suicide risk
Assess self-harm risk
Assess abuse risk
Refer to services when needed
22. Benefits of Advocacy & Counselling
Confidence
Independence
Education success
Employment access
Better mental health
23. Lived Experience in the Workforce
People with disabilities work in advocacy/counselling.
Benefits include:
Empathy
Understanding
Role modelling
Trust building
24. Key Messages – Level 3
Advocacy empowers
Counselling supports emotions
Skills build trust
Safety is essential
Holistic support works best
Level 3 Knowledge Check
What is safeguarding?
When can confidentiality be broken?
Name one safety responsibility.
Give one benefit of advocacy.
Why is lived experience valuable?
What is risk management?
Who do counsellors report safeguarding concerns to?
What does holistic support mean?
Answers:
Protecting from harm
When risk is present
Reporting concerns
Confidence / access / independence
Understanding & empathy
Assessing harm risk
Safeguarding lead / services
Whole-person support
✅ End of Easy Read Module
This module covers:
Levels 1–3: Awareness, Skills & Types, Practice & Safety
Advocacy & counselling principles
Knowledge checks for all levels
Easy Read style: short sentences, plain English, bullet points
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Rights focus
|
Feelings focus
|
Systems / barriers
|
Emotional support
|
Practical action
|
Build coping skills
|
External change
|
Internal change
|
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