Spiral Skills Advocacy Case Advocacy

Sometimes it can be difficult to ask people like doctors and social workers about things that you don't understand, or disagree with decisions that people have made about you. Advocacy promotes equality, social justice and social inclusion. Advocacy aims to empower people to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can help people become more aware of their own rights, to exercise those rights and be involved in and influence decisions that are being made about their future.

An advocate can help you tell people about the things that make you happy and about the things that might sometimes make you unhappy or upset.

An advocate can go to meetings with you or help you write letters. An advocate will not tell you things that are not true, or give you their opinion or advice, but will be able to help you find information about the choices you have.

An advocate will make arrangements to come and meet you to find out more about you and explain about the things that the service can help you with. An advocate will only ever say the things that you want people to know, unless it would be dangerous to you or someone else not to. If this happens, the advocate will always tell you about it.

An advocate is different to your family and friends, and they are not the same as social workers or care workers. An advocate does not judge you, make assessments or decide what is best for you. They are here to help you express your views, support you in your right to be heard and to make your own ddecisions and choices. Your advocate will treat you with respect and courtesy. At Spiral Skills we do not discriminate against anyone, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation.

Case Study

*Alan is in his early sixties, he has a mild learning disability is almost deaf with no speech and suffers from Angina and Diabetes. Alan has lived in a hospital environment for most of his life.

From the first meeting the Advocate became involved in Alan's interests, including taking a course in Makaton sign language. A life book was made, the advocate helping Alan to take photographs of people and situations that were important to him.

Alan was introduced to a possible flatmate *David. He and David spent time together, both supported by their own advocate, and eventually decided that they would like to share a home together.

They have now lived in their new home for over a year, have the use of a mobility car and the choice of how to lead their lives.

The advocate role in this case as always was making the client views known and listened to by health and social care professionals.

*Names have been changed.

In some situations an advocate may need to represent another person's interests. This is called non-instructed advocacy and is used when a person is unable to communicate their views. For anyone who lacks the capacity to instruct and direct their advocate non-instructed advocacy can provide a safeguard against abuse of rights. Ensure that services address every aspect of a person's care and treatment and ensure equality between those who can instruct and advocate and those who cannot.

At all times Spiral Skills works to the Advocacy Code of Practice.
Extract from the Code of Practice: "People are entitled to be in control of their own lives but sometimes, whether through frailty, disability, financial circumstances or social attitudes, they may find themselves in a position where their ability to exercise choice or present their own interests is limited. In these circumstances advocates can help ensure that an individual's views and needs are heard, respected and acted upon. Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.”

Please click here to download a full copy of the Advocacy Code of Practice. This is a PDF file if you don't already have Adobe Reader click here to download free.

Confidentiality.
Spiral Skills Advocacy Service has a confidentiality policy and guidelines. We will keep the things you tell us confidential unless it would be dangerous to you or someone else not to. Please visit our downloads page to read the Spiral Skills confidentiality policy, your advocate will be happy to discuss this with you.

Complaints.
If you have a complaint about Spiral Skills Advocacy service, you can be reassured that the appropriate procedure is in operation. If you would like to discuss making a complaint, or you would like a copy of the complaints policy please contact Spiral Skills or alternatively you can download a copy of the policy from our web site.

How to get in touch.
Please visit the contact us page for ways to get in touch and visit the downloads page for referral forms, leaflets, policies, guides and feedback forms. Thank you.