Short Title:Advocacy
Full Title:Advocacy
Module Code:ADCY H4001
 
NFQ Level:8
 
ECTS Credits:5
Reviewed By:DAVID IRWIN
Description:To introduce students to the study of Advocacy and to enable students develop strategies so that they can provide advocacy support to the clients they work with in social care settings.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to
  1. Define what is meant by advocacy.
  2. Assess the purpose and use of different models of advocacy including, self-advocacy, peer advocacy, professional (personal or representative) advocacy, public policy advocacy and political advocacy.
  3. Evaluate the skills and characteristics which both clients and social care workers need to possess in order to be able to effectively advocate
  4. Identify scenarios where clients may require advocacy.
  5. Assess the benefits to clients of providing advocacy services
  6. Identify the pitfalls and potential difficulties in providing advocacy
  7. Develop strategies for implementing an advocacy model in a social care organisation
  8. Identify the purpose, implementation and problems associated with organisational complaints and grievance procedures
 

Module Content & Assessment

Content
  • Assess the purpose and use of different models of advocacy
    Self-advocacy, peer advocacy, professional (personal or representative) advocacy, public policy advocacy, legal advocacy and political advocacy.
  • Reflect on the skills and characteristics which both clients and social care workers need to possess in order to be able to effectively advocate.
  • Client skills and attributes
    In order to be able to self-advocate, clients require a certain degree of self-confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness, communication skills – oral and written and ability to be clear on their personal needs and wants. Students will be required to develop a profile of the types of clients they may work with. They will then learn strategies to assist clients in developing some of these skills, e.g. supporting a group of clients to lobby the centre manager for better facilities in their day centre, to write to the local council regarding improved pedestrian access etc. (case studies and scenarios will be devised by the lecturer and students). Skills required by the social care worker. An ability to support and guide clients without being too directive or domineering. Listening skills. Ability to empathise.
  • Asses the benefits to clients of providing advocacy services
    Review a series of case studies where advocacy interventions have improved quality of life for clients and have brought about positive change in individual, family and groups circumstances.
  • Identify the pitfalls and potential difficulties in providing advocacy
    Testimonials from clients including disabled people, elderly people, people with mental health difficulties and adolescents who describe their experiences of not being listened to by providers of social care services. Students will be asked to consider the potential power imbalance between vulnerable individuals and groups and those who control access to social services. Strategies to change the culture of social care organisations so that they become more open to listening to and acting upon the views and wishes of clients. Identification of clients’ personal goals as defined in person centred advocacy plans and the difficulties associated with actualizing these goals.
  • Develop strategies for implementing an advocacy model in a social care organisation
    Advocacy policies in organisations. Advocacy training for staff. Advocacy training for service users. Best practice guidelines for developing advocacy plans with clients. Boundary management and ethical behaviour of social care workers. Confidentiality – can it be guaranteed? What to do when a client’s wishes may be at odds with his/her best interests or safety.
  • Identify the purpose, implementation and problems associated with organisational complaints and grievance procedures
    Why should social care organisations have complaints procedures? How can clients access them? Staff response to complaints. Transparency in organisations.
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work50%
End of Semester Formal Examination50%
 Outcome addressed% of totalAssessment Date
Formal End-of-Semester ExaminationNone50%Semester End
Coursework Breakdown
TypeDescriptionOutcome addressed% of totalAssessment Date
Continuous Assessmentn/a50n/a

IT Tallaght reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload & Resources

This course has no full time workload.
Resources
Required Book Resources
  • National Disability Authority (NDA) 2002, ASK ME: Guidelines for Effective Consultation with People with Disabilities, NDA
  • Weafer J 2003, The Jigsaw of Advocacy, Citizens Information Board
  • Neil Bateman 2000, Advocacy Skills for Health and Social Care Professionals, Jessica Kingsley Press [ISBN: 978-1853028656]
  • Henderson R & Pochin M 2001, A right result? Advocacy, Justice and Empowerment, The Policy Press
Required Article/Paper Resources
  • CIB 2008, n/a, Relate
  • CIB 2008, n/a, Voice: Influencing Social Policy
  • CIB 2005, n/a, Family Matters Ten Years On: A Social Policy Report
  • CIB 2007, n/a, Advocacy Guidelines (revised edition)