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Contents & notes
Part A: Independent Advocacy organisations
Part B: Independent Group Advocacy
Part C: Supporting guidance
Acknowledgements

Principles and Standards in Independent Advocacy organisations and groups

NB:This page is an archived version of the Advocacy 2000 web page formerly at www.advocacy2000.org and website.lineone.net/~advocacy2000 . All of the document is available in the original format as a pdf file

Contents and important notes

Important notes

This document is divided into two main parts, A and B, and a short third part, part C. Both part A and part B are statements about principles and standards in Independent Advocacy. Part A describes the practice of an Independent Advocacy organisation. It gives details of the work that such organisations do in finding or providing support for individuals or groups. Part B describes the practice of Independent Collective and Self-advocacy groups. It also gives details of suitable ways that such groups can be supported.

It is essential that you are familiar with the guidance notes, which form part C. These provide important information on how to interpret and use this document. In particular, part C explains that the lists of points we have described as indicators should not be seen as desirable features or standards and that it may take a new organisation some time to meet the minimum practice we have described. By 'indicators' we mean things that, if you saw them in an organisation, would suggest that the organisation was working according to the principle they are connected with. By 'minimum practice' we mean things that should always be seen in an Independent Advocacy organisation.

Other advocacy activity There are many organisations that use the terms 'advocate' and 'advocacy' to describe their activity, but which do not work in the way this document describes. Some of these may share some, or all, of the objectives that are described, but they achieve these through different activities. Others are involved in almost entirely unrelated activities. This document does not comment on the value or quality of their work. We hope that it gives clear descriptions of two types of organisation or activity. We describe the first as an Independent Advocacy organisation, and the second as an Independent Collective or Self-advocacy group, because these are the terms such organisations and groups use themselves (but see part C). This document should benefit those who are involved in different activities, as it will support them to show the differences in their work and the reasons for these.

Part A: Independent Advocacy organisations

Introduction
What do Independent Advocacy organisations and advocates do?
The foundations of an organisation
How organisations act
How advocates act
Outcomes

Section 1: The foundations of an organisation

Independence
Community roots and beneficial allies
Effective organisation
Involving users

Section 2: Organisation actions

Focusing on those most at risk
Being proactive
Positive imagery
Confidentiality
Organisation identity
Organisation integrity

Section 3: Supporting the practice of advocates

Loyalty
Maximising involvement
Initiating action
Respect and decency

Section 4: Outcomes

Safeguarding
Empowerment
Adding weight
Cultural change and social inclusion

Section 5: Examples

Examples on organisation foundations and action
Examples on the support of the practice of advocates

Part B: Independent Group Advocacy

Introduction
What is an Independent Collective or Self-advocacy group?
What do these groups aim to do?
Principles
Support

Section 1: More detail on principles

Representing the views of a wider group
Acting as representatives of a wider group
Acting as one
Keeping its freedom to act
Safeguarding people
Networking
Empowering those in the group

Section 2: Support

Loyalty
Maximising the involvement of the group
Suggesting options for action in certain circumstances

Section 3: Examples

Examples about principles
Examples about group support

Part C: Supporting guidance

Interpreting and using the document
What activity is covered?
What isn't covered?
Indicators and minimum practice
Language

Principles and standards in
Independent Advocacy
organisations and groups

Published by:
Advocacy 2000
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which is managed by SHS Trust on behalf
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We would like to acknowledge that the Scottish Executive partly funded
the editing work by Plain English Campaign.