What is an advocate?

If you find it difficult to understand your care and support or find it hard to speak up for yourself, an advocate is someone who can act as your spokesperson.

An advocate helps you:

• say what you want
• understand what is happening
• make sure your voice is heard
• stand up for your rights.

An advocate can be:

• someone you know and trust, like a family member or friend, which is known as an informal advocate; or
• someone who is specially trained to help, which is known as an independent advocate.

Advocacy means having someone on your side. Advocates work with you. They do not take over and make decisions for you.

What can an advocate help with?

An advocate can:

• help you understand your choices
• support you in meetings or assessments
• help you say what matters to you
• ask questions or challenge decisions.

They can support you:

• in meetings
• by phone
• in person
• with letters or emails.

Who is advocacy for?

Advocacy is for anyone who needs help to be heard.

You might want advocacy if:

• things feel confusing or stressful
• you feel pressured, or not listened to
• you disagree with a decision
• meetings feel hard.

Types of advocacy

Will an advocate decide for me?

No.

Advocates help you make your own decisions. Your views, feelings and wishes always matter.

When is advocacy a legal right?

You must be offered an independent advocate when:

• you are having a care and support assessment
• there are concerns about your safety
• important decisions are being made
• you find it hard to understand or weigh up information
• you do not have someone else to support you.

Does advocacy cost money?

No. If you have a legal right to advocacy, it is free.

How do I get an advocate?

You can:

• ask your social worker or care coordinator
• ask at a meeting or assessment
• choose someone you trust.

You can ask at any time.

Remember

• You have the right to be heard.
• You have the right to understand.
• You have the right to support.
• Advocacy is about choice, control and dignity.