Having access to independent, accurate information and a range of options from which to make choices can enhance equality of opportunity and access to services. However some people are at a disadvantage when claiming their entitlements or seeking the services they need because of disability, social inequalities, literacy or language difficulties. Advocacy is a means of empowering people by supporting them to assert their views and claim their entitlements and where necessary representing and negotiating on their behalf.
One of the main ways in which the Citizens information Board supports advocacy services to the general public is through the network of Citizens Information Services, where information providers advocate at different levels in relation to difficulties with access to social welfare, housing, health and employment. CIB provides a number of supports to build the capacity of information providers in CISs to advocate on behalf of clients, from negotiating complex information to helping people through the appeals process.
Under the Citizens Information Act 2007 the Citizens Information Board has a mandate to provide advocacy targeted at people with disabilities. Developing an Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities, which was commissioned from Goodbody Economic Consultants and published in July 2004, sets out a strategic approach to developing advocacy services for people with disabilities.
Under the remit given to CIB under the Citizens Information Act, a pilot Programme of independent Advocacy Services for people with disabilities has been funded and supported by CIB since late 2005. Round Table Mediation and Training evaluated this programme during 2009. Their evaluation report was completed in early 2010.
The evaluators clearly stated that the pilot projects have developed advocacy services on the ground in a relatively short space of time - reaching significant numbers of people with disabilities, have built up important partnerships and stakeholder relationships and have achieved measurable outcomes for people with disabilities and improvements in their quality of life. Their research also pointed to some weaknesses in the structure of the programme which led them to suggest the need for structural change.
The key recommendation is that a National Advocacy Service for people with disabilities be set up. This service will be regionally structured, with 5 separate regional teams, each with a Regional Advocacy Manager, reporting directly into one voluntary board of a Citizens Information Service in each region. This Board will have a regional remit for Advocacy only, while maintaining its county-wide responsibility for CIS services.
View full report and an Executive Summary
