Advocacy

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Fact Sheet No: FS11
Name of Service: Advocacy
Service Type: Information & Advice

About this service

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is about helping you to speak up for yourself, making sure that your views and opinions are heard and understood and obtaining your rights. This could be someone supporting you to speak up or, if you find it hard or you are unable to speak for yourself, then you may need an Advocate who can speak on your behalf to help you get what you are entitled to. Advocates are neutral and independent and what you say to them is confidential. They will work directly with you to help you have your say and deal with difficult issues.

If you are asking for or using a service provided by Social Care (or are a carer of someone using services), you may find that it is not always easy to express your wishes or preferences. If decisions are being made that affect your future, an Advocate can speak up for you in these situations or help you to put across your point of view.

What are the benefits of Advocacy?

• It will enable you to speak for yourself.
• A person or group will speak for you about your concerns.
• It will provide you with access to information, professional support, complaint procedures and services.
• It will help you to see what others services are available, such as local community services, self-help groups and other support networks.
• It can make it easier for you to get information in a way that you can understand
• It will help you to choose what you want to do.
• It will help you to get people to understand your point of view.
• The advocate will speak for you.
• The advocate will listen to you without judging you.

What do Advocates do?

• Listen to you and give you information.
• Encouraging you to speak up for yourself.
• Liaison with different agencies.
• Mediating so people can understand each other.
• Representing or acting on your behalf.

What Advocates do NOT do:

• Offer counselling.
• Do what they think is best for you.
• Advise you on which choice to make.
• Make decisions for people·
• Complaining – Advocacy is not an alternative complaints procedure but may involve the Advocate in supporting you in making a complaint effectively.
• Campaigning – although it may highlight problems and gaps in particular services.
• Providing social support.
• Offer legal representation (unless they are legal advocates).

Last updated: 9 March 2009