Who may need advocacy?

There are a variety of reasons why advocacy may be much more important to some people. In the main it is because there are some in society who are more likely than others to be treated unfairly, either because of the prejudice of others or because of their own vulnerability, and frequently individuals who rely on the social care systems have limited personal power and resources to argue their case. The following are examples of symptoms or conditions that indicate why some people are more likely than others to benefit from the support of an independent advocate:

• Impairment: (cognitive, psychological, motor, and sensory): for example, people who do not use words to communicate or do not use formal methods of communication or people who are regarded as incapable of making decisions.
• Age: for example children and young people and the elderly who feel that others have power and control over them
• Reputation: for example people who have a negative reputation within the wider community because of their behaviour, mental ill health, disability, sexuality or status
• Physical condition: for example people who are physically or mentally frail, ill or impaired
• Cultural or ethnic differences: for example people who do not use English as their first language or those whose background and culture is different and/or mis-understood by the majority population
• Limited life experience or knowledge: for example those who have lived in care systems for most of their life or have been overprotected by family members and others, because of a disability.
• Lack of support and help: for example people who are just worn out by trying to navigate the plethora of health and social care systems
• Abuse: for example those who have been abused in anyway and suffered at the hands of others
• Isolation: for example those experiencing family breakdown, and dislocation

Personal attributes can lead to many having to rely on powerful service systems for help with all aspects of their life - housing, personal assistance, decision-making, income, occupation, mobility. When people have no strong allies outside of providers of services, the operations of the service system itself are life-defining. This is particularly relevant for those who have been immersed in the service system since childhood. For some people, their family can also be a part of the problem.