You may think that a person with learning disabilities who has a pro-active parent and/or care manager (& many don’t) may not need an advocate - but an advocate is uniquely placed to act with minimal conflict of interest. This conflict of interest issue is key to advocacy – in any situation other people will have interests that will conflict or compete with the interests of the person with a disability. Taking independence skills as an example - a parent may be over-protective and make choices for the person with learning disabilities, stifling their ability to gain independence skills. Due to funding constraints, a care manager may be reluctant to provide the necessary care support for them to gain independence skills. The vulnerable person’s relationship with an advocate is different to those with relatives or professionals in that it is a partnership built on trust and confidentiality. By identifying and minimilising any of their own interests & needs that may conflict with the person's they're supporting, an advocate supports them to put their choices into effect. The advocate does not make choices for them or have a vested interest in outcomes of granting their choices.
Being independent, an advocate is in a unique position to identify what the person’s needs are and to and try to understand what it is like to be in their shoes. An advocate’s objectivity may enable them to focus on key issues in sometimes complex and sensitive situations and take action on the vulnerable person’s behalf. Their unique awareness of the person's wishes and choices may enable them to take the initiative by creating a sense of urgency and challenging other professionals.
People with a learning disability are often portrayed as less than human & their disability can lead to low status & a devalued role in society. They may experience discrimination, neglect, exploitation or abuse. Their human and legal rights may be denied, and even where rights exist, access to ways of enforcing them may be restricted. An advocate has a unique role in supporting the person with disabilities to access and exercise these rights.
Advocacy can also play a vital role if people with learning disabilities are confronted with situations they find difficult or they feel they are not being listened to. An advocate’s role may entail supporting their advocacy partner to make choices and express their views at meetings with professionals. It could mean being on the person’s side in situations where they could be taken advantage of, or fighting for the person’s right to lead a more fulfilling life.
As well as representing a person’s interests, an effective advocate may make information, advice and support services more accessible, and lead to access to different forms of advocacy, such as a solicitor or Citizens Advice Bureau. For example, the local CAB can support the individual to get the correct benefits or the Disability Law Service may be able to advise on legal situations.
To carry out their role successfully, an advocate must understand and be committed to the values and principles of advocacy, that regardless of whether or not we have a disability, we all have the same value and rights, and should be given the same opportunities to fulfil our potential for growth and learning and lead purposeful lives.
Finally, by offering conflict-free support and being on the person’s side, an advocate may enable people with learning disabilities to transform their lives by ‘exercising choice and control,’ as recognised by the Government White Paper of 2001, ‘Valuing People.’ Ultimately, advocacy serves to promote the welfare, wellbeing and social inclusion of people with learning disabilities, to protect their human and legal rights, combat discrimination, and, overall, to improve their quality of life.
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