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Provide Advocacy and Representation

Provide Advocacy and Representation. Soraya Kassim, 2009. References / Acknowledgements. Horth, Maureen, Provide Advocacy and Representation – CHCAD4A, printwest TAFE NSW Western Institute ( 2004)

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Provide Advocacy and Representation

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  1. Provide Advocacy and Representation Soraya Kassim, 2009

  2. References / Acknowledgements • Horth, Maureen, Provide Advocacy and Representation – CHCAD4A, printwest TAFE NSW Western Institute (2004) • Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW, Individual Advocacy (undated; obtained 2009) • Motor Neurone Disease Association • A Better Australia, www.ourcommunity.com.au/advocacy and www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-k_jGseA6g (accessed 15/7/09)

  3. Course Summary • Understanding of Different Types of Advocacy • Ethics, Philosophies and Frameworks – in particular Human Rights • Human Rights Institutions in Australia • Social Policy • Interventions in Social Policy

  4. What is Advocacy ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-k_jGseA6g

  5. Advocacy • A process of speaking up for or representing a person or cause • Is partisan • Involves rights or entitlements • Happens when someone else is making a decision • Seeks to redress a consumer’s feeling of powerlessness & involves empowering them • Usually happens in the context of conflict • Relies mainly on reasoned argument

  6. Definition (O’Connor, Wilson & Setterlund, 1995, Social Work & Welfare Practice) • “Advocacy is an effort to influence the behaviour of decision-makers in relation to another or group of others….. • Advocacy therefore, is not extraordinary behaviour, but an activity that we engage in frequently in our everyday lives as social workers and welfare practitioners. Avcoacy is the responsibility of all practitioners, not just those who work in advocacy agencies.”

  7. Definition (Institute of Family Advocacy & Leadership Development of Australia) • “…the process of standing alongside an individual who is disadvantaged and speaking out on their behalf in a way that achieves the best interests of that person.”

  8. What Advocacy Is NOT • Mediation or conciliation • Counselling or therapy • Providing a program or service • Interpreting

  9. Types of Advocacy – Self Advocacy • May or may not be supported • An everyday activity for us all • May also be done as part of a group • Eg. • Neighbours may complain together about something to council • Children may ask for things from their parents • Parents may advocate for the interests of their child in a school (could be seen as ‘individual advocacy’ too)

  10. Types of Advocacy - Individual • Case or Individual Advocacy • By one who is independent and with no conflict of interest • Eg. Lawyers, union representatives, youth workers

  11. Individual Advocacy: Example: MDAA(Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW, ‘Individual Advocacy’ pamphlet) • “At MDAA we • help you to make sure that your rights are recognised and respected. • support you to understand your rights, what services are available in the community and what choices are available to you. • When you contact MDAA, an Individual Advocate will ask you questions about your issues and support your need • You and your Individual Advocate will make a plan together to work out ways we can solve your problem together.

  12. Types of Advocacy – Systemic • Internal Systemic Advocacy • Not independent – change from within • Eg. • Policy change process – role of bureaucrats • Educating others ‘in the system’ • Promoting client participation

  13. Types of Advocacy – Issue/Group/Legal Systemic • For a group of people (common concern) or issue • May be an (uninvited) non-member of the group • Eg. • Lobbying/ Campaigning • Legal ‘test cases’

  14. Different Types of Advocacy • A family worker rings Centrelink to find out why a sole parent was cut off the pension, and see how they can get back on… • A welfare rights worker writes to the Minister for Social Security to say that the activity test for the unemployed is unfair on rural people • A woman goes in to Centrelink to find out why her payment has been reduced

  15. Different Types of Advocacy (cont) • A refuge worker talks to the Year 10 Advisor about why a young person shouldn’t be kicked out of school. • A teenager asks their parents if they can go on a camp • Youth workers attend a network meeting to discuss action on issues affecting local young people

  16. Different Types of Advocacy (cont.) • An Aboriginal employment officer tries to get an unemployed Aboriginal client a job at the local factory • A community centre closes while workers attend a ‘day of action’ on unfair law and order policies • A senior youth worker in a juvenile justice detention centre asks the Superintendent if they can involve detainees more in solving discipline problems.

  17. Homework • Read the 1 local paper and one state or national newspaper (online or hardcopy) every day and bring in a copy of 5 issues which could be the subject of advocacy.

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