Advocacy FAQ's
Q. What is advocacy?
A. Advocacy is about getting the right support to speak up about the things that are important to you so that you can make your own decisions and take control of your own life.
Independent advocacy ensures that everyone has the right to be respected and listened to, be involved in decisions that affect their lives, have dreams and plans for their future and have the same opportunities and chances as others living in the area.
Independent advocacy also looks out for people who are at risk because they are made vulnerable by others, speaks for and with people who are not being heard, helping them to make their views known. It shares experience and knowledge to help people make informed decisions, and to understand what is available to them.
An advocacy service goes beyond a purely informational service as advocacy by its very nature requires that representations are made on behalf of another.
Q. What sort of thing can the Advocacy Service help me with?
A. The Advocacy Service will help me with a wide variety of things, including for example, housing enquiries, care needs, employment concerns or independence issues. If you become a client of the Disability Can Do Organisation you can expect the advocate working on your behalf to:
• have meetings with you and talk about what you want
• find things out for you, above and beyond what you are able to find out for yourself
• share information with you to help you make decisions
• help you to tell other people what you want
• ask questions on your behalf.
Our Advocacy service is, Free, Confidential, Supportive and Empowering.
The Advocacy Service can not be used for assistance with filling out benefit claim forms, or benefit advice, unless there are exceptional circumstances. However you can ring our Information service for form filling information and clinics.
Q. Who can use the Advocacy Service?
A. The Disability Can Do Organisation’s Advocacy Service is free to adults with a disability, or sensory impairment, and also carers who are living within Caerphilly County Borough.
Please contact the Information Line on 01495 223550 if you would like further information.
Q. How can I access the Service?
A. The Organisation receives referrals from a variety of sources. Some clients refer themselves through our Information Line but many referrals come from other Organisations and professionals, for example, Social Services.
If you feel you require advocacy support then please contact the Advocacy Line on 01495 233550 in the first instance. If you have access to the internet you can email advocacy@disabilitycando.org.uk with your enquiry and we will contact you.
Q. Can I have an appointment with an Advocate at home or do I need to come to you?
A. Appointments will be made at your convenience. If you require a home visit, that can be arranged, alternatively if you would like to visit us at our accessible offices please ring our Advcacy Line and that can be arranged.
All first appointments are attended by two people, which will usually be a member of staff and a volunteer. This is for the safety of our staff and clients.
Q. Is it the Advocacy Service independent?
A. Yes. The Advocacy Service is not affiliated with any other agency or organisation.
Q. Can the Advocacy Service provide legal representation?
A. The Advocacy Service provides professional advocacy, but not legal advocacy. Our Advocate can assist you to secure legal representation through signposting an appropriate Solicitor who you may wish to engage.
Q. What are the office hours?
A. The Advocacy Service is a full time service from Monday to Friday 9.30am until 5pm. However, our Advocate is out at appointments much of the time and as a result enquiries should be made via the Information Line which is available between Monday to Thursday – 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Q. How long does it take to get an appointment?
A. This is dependant on the current case load at the time of your enquiry. All clients will be given an indication of the waiting time when they make their enquiry. We aim to see new clients within one week, but this can be up to 3 weeks.
Q. Is there a charge for the Advocacy Service?
A. The Advocacy Service is free of charge to those who are eligible as we are an independent charity working of behalf physically disabled, or sensory impaired, adults and carers within Caerphilly County Borough.