Social Advocacy N Its Types

Social Advocacy
Definition:
“The term comes from the Latin word advocates ,which means
the function of an advocate is to give evidence by supporting
verbally or making arguments for a cause (Woodrow, 1997).”
Advocacy is ‘a political act with consequences for both

individuals and the community as a whole, challenging
inequality, opposing racism, preventing abuse, or even
introducing someone to a new opportunity or social setting – all
constituting steps towards a more civil and just society’.
(Henderson and Pochin, 2001: 15)
Advocacy involves :
voice in decision,
to make their views known and be heard
promoting equality
social justice
social inclusion
[Advocacy is] a crucial element in achieving social justice

Kind of services Activities
Indirect service includes cleaning up the community, serving
food, building playgrounds for younger children, raising money
for a worthwhile cause.
Direct service includes working with or teaching other people,

including teaching classes to younger students and reading to
the elderly.
Advocacy service includes creating social change

through government or grassroots action. Students may work
to change laws and regulations or inform politicians
and community members about pertinent issues
• Legal : An "advocate" is a specific person who is
authorized / appointed speak on behalf of a person in a
legal process.
Political: An "advocacy group" is collection of people who

seek to influence political decisions and policy.
Social: A network of interconnected organizations and

projects which seek to benefit people who are in difficulty
(primarily in the context of disability and mental health).
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Types of advocacy
• Self-advocacy
• Group advocacy
• Peer advocacy
• Citizen advocacy
• Professional advocacy
6
• Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy refers to an individual’s ability to effectively
communicate his or her own interests, desires, needs and rights.
• Group advocacy
“
Group advocacy involves people with shared experiences,
positions or values coming together in groups to talk and listen to
each other and speak up collectively about issues that are
important to them. These groups aim to influence public opinion,
policy and service provision.
• Professional advocacy
Paid independent advocates support and enable people to speak
up and represent their views, usually during times of major
change or crisis.
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• Citizen advocacy
Citizen advocacy aims to involve people in their local

community by enabling them to have a voice and to
make decisions about the things that affect their lives.
• Peer advocacy
One-to-one support provided by advocates with a
similar disability or experience to a person using
services. Trained and supported volunteers often
provide peer advocacy as part of a coordinated project.
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Skills Every Social ADVOCATE Needs
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Skills Every Social ADVOCATE Needs
Skills that are essential for successful career as a social advocate
1. Assessment Skills
• Spend most of their time in case management
• Assessment process reveals whether or not services remain
effective and necessary
2. Communication Skills
• involves written and verbal correspondence with ordinary men
and professionals
• In any social work capacity, effectively communicating helps a
professional advocate appropriately, remain clear and concise,
appear professional and avoid10or overcome crisis situations.
3. Advocacy and Leadership
• Well-developed advocacy skills allow to properly

represent problems and obtain the services communities
need.
• Excellent advocacy skills lead to positive change, and
this helps sufferer to live empowered lives.
• These skills are used on the local, state and federal level
to fight for existing programs, create new programs and
remove or revise outdated policies
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4. Problem Solving Skills
Excellent problem solving skills are crucial in finding solutions

for individuals and communities.
Due to limited resources and tight budgets, Problem solving
skills are essential if one hopes to overcome budgetary
obstacles and fiscal constraints
5. Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking involves searching for answers with an open
mind and using information to best serve the present situation.
When used correctly, these skills empower an individual during
crisis situations and assist a social advocate in best utilizing
available resources. 12
6.Documentation Skills
• All areas of social work require that professionals document

findings about crisis and situations.
• Without well-developed documentation skills, completing
such tasks would be impossible.
• Documentation must be thorough, accurate and timely in
order to benefit all
7.Respect for Diversity

• Diversity offers many challenges, A social advocate who
understands this can effectively serve sufferer, and this
increases opportunities to improve
13 communities.
8-Organizational Skills
• Social workers must keep resources organized, remain

diligent in maintaining thorough and accurate records and
utilize effective time management skills too.
• Excelling in organization requires learning how to simplify a
work environment, prioritize tasks, use good decision making
practices and keep a calendar of important events or projects.
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9- Understanding of Human Relationships
• Finally, social workers must understand that this field is about

human relationships. Couples, families, friends and
communities are all part of the support system an individual
turns to in time of crises.
• If a social worker does not embrace relationship based
practice, resources will be missed and problems often become
impossible to resolve. Understanding this is key to becoming a
competent social work professional.
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Social Advocacy N Its Types

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Social Advocacy

Advocacy is ‘a political act with consequences for both

[Advocacy is] a crucial element in achieving social justice

Direct service includes working with or teaching other people,

Advocacy service includes creating social change

Political: An "advocacy group" is collection of people who

Social: A network of interconnected organizations and

Citizen advocacy aims to involve people in their local

• Well-developed advocacy skills allow to properly

Excellent problem solving skills are crucial in finding solutions

• All areas of social work require that professionals document

7.Respect for Diversity

• Social workers must keep resources organized, remain

• Finally, social workers must understand that this field is about

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