What an independent advocate should and shouldn't do
When supporting someone as an Advocate there are things you should and shouldn't do.
Remember the definitions of advocacy you have already looked at. Below are some of those advocacy DOs and DONT's .
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Do gather and present up-to-date and accurate information to service users so they can make an informed choice.
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Do Not give advice about what choice to make.
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Do listen to service users and discuss options.
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Do Not impose your views or opinions onto the service user.
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Do talk to and correspond with family members and other professionals with the service user’s permission.
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Do Not make decisions or choices on behalf of service users.
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Do represent the person’s expressed views and wishes.
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Do Not take action independently of the service user |
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Do agree a plan of action with outcomes and timescales.
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Do Not be prescriptive or inflexible.
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Do challenge discrimination on behalf of the service user. |
Do Not act as a messenger service – you are not there to pass on information that other services should do |
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Do signpost and support the service user to use other services. |
Do Not act as a friend. Always act with respect but an advocate should not be a substitute for family or friends. |
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Do explore choices and the consequences of those choices with the service user. |
Do Not become a substitute for a service – advocates do not mediate, counsel or make decisions on behalf of someone else |
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Do use your experience and knowledge to inform the service user |
Do Not let personal beliefs affect your ability to support the service user |
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Do safeguard the service user |
Do Not compromise your independence or allow conflicts of interest to effect the advocacy relationship |
CASE STUDY EXAMPLE:
An advocate receives a referral for community advocacy support. The client was recently in hospital for surgery and missed multiple rental payments during this time and their recovery. The client’s landlord is threatening to evict the client for not paying rent. The client wants support to challenge the decision of their landlord and remain living at their property.
An advocate SHOULD:
· Be clear with the client that the support is only available as long as the issue is ongoing (i.e. until routes to challenge the landlord are exhausted)
· Explore and research options with the client – Do they want to complain? Do they want to write a letter? Do they want to meet with the landlord with the advocate’s support to prepare? Do they need medical evidence from their GP?
· Consider the client’s rights – e.g. under the Equality Act, as a tenant
· Encourage self-advocacy by suggesting the client does as much as possible themselves e.g. writing a draft letter, making an initial phone call with the advocate’s support
An advocate SHOULD NOT:
· Give advice e.g. “This is the best way to solve your problems”
· Make judgments or promises e.g. “What is happening to you is incredibly unfair and I will definitely get the landlord to stop evicting you”
· Do everything for the client e.g. the client is very able to make phone calls to services, so advocacy is not necessarily needed around phone calls
· Continue working with the client, checking in when there are no advocacy issues or updates