One to One, Issue Based Advocacy

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM PARTNERS IN ADVOCACY

Partners in Advocacy are continuing to deliver advocacy services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Subject to Public Health guidance and our own risk assessment, we may be able to meet our advocacy partners face-to-face, and where we cannot, we will offer advocacy support via phone, email, or other digital platforms. Please contact us for further information.

One to one, issue based advocacy

- People with a learning disability, 16 years old or older, who have a known diagnosis and this includes conditions such as autism.
- People with physical disability, 16 years and older. Under this section of our work this includes a person with a brain injury or a dementia.
- Older people aged 65 years and older, who has nobody else to speak on their behalf.

What is advocacy...

Advocacy is about sticking up for people who are at risk of being excluded, ignored or mistreated. It’s about helping people to find out about options, make choices and tell other people what they want to happen. It’s about making sure that people are fully involved in decisions that affect their lives – and that other people listen to them and take their views into account.

One to one advocacy is where an independent advocacy worker supports an individual on a 1:1 basis to represent their views and interests, or represents the views of an individual if the person is unable to do so themselves. They provide support on specific issues and provide information to help them explore available options to enable them to make informed decisions. This support can be short or long term.

Examples of one to one advocacy:

- Assisting someone to get information about their situation, attending meetings with them, helping them to convey their views and understand decisions
- Finding out about local services and helping someone to access them
- Informing people about their rights and helping them to get legal advice
- Supporting people at formal hearings, reviews, case conferences and tribunals
- Writing letters, sending emails and making phone calls for people

Referrals...

If you would like to make a referral please call 0131 478 7723. Our Duty Advocate would be happy to take your call.

WHO SHOULD MAKE A REFERRAL?

At Partners in Advocacy we take referrals from a broad range of people from, individuals themselves, to family, to professionals. In general, anyone can refer a person to Partners in Advocacy.