Advocacy Course
WEA North West Region 2011
Aims of Course
By the end of the sessions the learners will be able
to:
• Identify what advocacy is.
• Understand the process of advocacy
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of
advocacy and being an advocate
• Understand the skills involved in advocacy.
• Understand the policy framework underpinning
consultation within public services.
WEA North West Region 2011
Ice Breaker
You will be introducing your partner to the
whole group. Please find the following out
from your partner
– Their name and why they are here on the course
and
– An anecdote detailing an occasion when their
views or opinions were passed on to another
person by someone other than themselves.
WEA North West Region 2011
Why is Advocacy Important?
• Social Policy engagement is central to
‘objective of democratic renewal’
• Requirement to develop methods of actively
engaging with their customers / citizens e.g.??
• Equalities agenda and duty to involve.
• Coalition and ‘Big Society’
• The wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one
that gets the grease.
Josh Billings
WEA North West Region 2011
The Process of Advocacy
• Identify and define the issues.
• Exactly what is the problem that needs addressing
• Analyse and Research issues.
• Has this been tackled elsewhere – if so how
• Who else is interested in this issue
• Prepare and Implement Action Plan.
• SMART targets
• Meetings, letter writing, contacting elected members
WEA North West Region 2011
SPECIFIC
MEASUREABLE
ACHIEVABLE
REALISTIC
TIMED
WEA North West Region 2011
Identify and Define the Issue
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What is the problem?
Who is affected?
What needs to change?
Are there any other acceptable, if less
desirable, changes that would help?
• Who can change this?
WEA North West Region 2011
Analyse and Research the Issue
• How does this affect local people? Can this be
quantified?
• Has anything similar occurred elsewhere? If so what
happened and how?
• What are there laws, guidelines or policies that can
help you?
• Exactly how has this affected people (collect their
stories / case studies)
• Can other organisations guide / help or partner you?
WEA North West Region 2011
Assertive Behaviour
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Express your opinions and feelings
A guilt free ‘no’
Manage and balance your time.
Ask when you want something.
Use ‘I feel’ and ‘scratched record technique’
Choosing when not to be assertive.
WEA North West Region 2011
An Assertive Letter
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Short and to the point (1 page)
Get to the point in first paragraph
Focus on one issue, one request
Include accurate facts
Include a case study
WEA North West Region 2011