Individual Advocacy Policy and Procedure - Easy Read

People With disabilities WA wrote this document. When you see the word ‘we’, it means People With disabilities WA.

We have written this information in an easy to read way.

We use pictures to explain some ideas.

We have written some words in bold. We explain what these words mean. There is a list of these words at the end of this page.

This Easy Read document is a summary of another document.

You can find the other document here:
PWdWA Individual Advocacy Policy and Procedure (PDF).

You can ask for help to read this document.

A friend, family member or support person may be able to help you.

An advocate is a person who supports you.

They help you have your say and to stand up for your rights.

Having rights means you can expect to be treated fairly.

Individual advocacy is when a professional advocate supports a person with a problem.

The problem is usually one they haven’t been able to solve on their own.

An individual advocate must be independent.

This means that they must:

• only be on your side
• only look after your interests.

This document explains how our advocacy services work.

This document is our policy for individual advocacy.

A policy is a plan for how we will do things.

This policy is to help people with disabilities and their families in Western Australia to:

• use our advocacy services

• find the support that they need.

We want to:

• give people with disabilities and their families the information they need

• give people advocacy that is fair

• make sure that the way people use our services is fair

• be clear about what we can and can't do

• work together with each person to solve their problem.

This policy is for:

• individual advocates who work for us
• people who use our service
• families
• carers
• service providers
• anyone who wants to know what we do.

Our individual advocacy service is for people in Western Australia who have a disability.

People who support or represent a person with disability can also use this service.

We work with people in a particular order.

The people at the top of our list are the people who:

• are the most at risk or in danger

• have problems that are urgent

• can’t use other services.

When you ask us to advocate for you we:

• make sure your problem is one that we can help you with

• make sure we are the best organisation to help you.

We also ask you if there are any things about your culture that you would like us to know about you.

Culture is a way of life. There are many different cultures in Australia and around the world.

You may think or act in a certain way because of the culture you have grown up with.

We can find someone to translate or interpret for you, if you need it.

Once we have worked out that we can advocate for you, we will explain what happens next.

We have an intake process.

Our intake process is the steps we go through when we start working with you.

1. First we will ask you for:

• your contact details
• information about you
• information about your problem.

We will write this information down and put it in our database system.

We will make a case for you.

Your case will include:

• information about your problem
• what result you want at the end.

2. Your case then goes to the Individual Advocacy Service Manager.

They will look at your case and decide who will be the best advocate for you.

3. Your advocate will then contact you.

They will usually contact you in 5 working days.

Sometimes we are very busy.

We might not have an advocate that can work with you straight away.

If this happens, we will:

• let you know how long you will have to wait

• give you information to help while you wait

• give you information about another organisation that might be able to help you now.

If we are not able to advocate for you, we will:

• tell you why

• give you information that can help with your problem

• give you information about another organisation that might be able to help you.

We support you to have your say and be heard.

You can ask other people to take part and help you solve your problem.

Friends, family members or support people may be able to help you.

We help you to learn about your rights.

We can also help you learn self-advocacy skills.

Self-advocacy is when a person with disability is supported to speak up for themselves.

We will respect your right to be treated well.

We will also make sure your information is kept private and safe.

We will ask you to sign a consent form.

This form means we are allowed to get information and speak for you.

We will make an action plan.

The plan will list everything you need to do and everything we need to do.

We will give you a copy of the plan.

We will also put the plan into our database system.

We will update the plan to show the things that have been done and any new things that need to be done.

We can change the plan if things in the case change or what you want changes.

We will only make changes to the plan if

you agree.

You can ask us for a new copy of the plan that shows any changes we have made.

Sometimes we are not able to advocate for you or there is a service that will suit you better.

We will ask if you would like us to refer you to another organisation or service.

If you say yes, we will give the other organisation your information.

We keep in contact with a wide range of organisations and services.

This is so we know the best place to refer you to.

If we refer you, we will:

• give you information about other organisations to help you make a choice
• ask your permission first
• give you support if you need it
• write information about your referral into our database system.

You can stop using our service whenever you want.

We will talk to you about closing your case:

• when you are happy with how your problem has been solved

• if there is nothing more that we can do to solve your case.

We can stop your service if:

• you behave in a way that is not safe

• we think that you will be at risk or unsafe if we advocate for you

• you are no longer able to tell us what you want to do

• we have tried to solve your problem but there is nothing more that we can do

• you move out of Western Australia

• if we can’t get in contact with you.

We can try to find another organisation to help you, if you need it.

We provide our information in a range of formats including:

• by phone
• text messages
• written in a letter or email
• on Facebook
• by Skype.

If you let us know, we can also give you information in:

• Easy Read
• plain English
• braille

Our information is up-to-date and specific to what you need.

Our advocates find information through organisations and people that they know and the internet.

We can give you information in the way that is easiest for you to use, such as in Easy Read or in audio format.

We can translate information into other languages, if you need it.

We will get any information you ask for as soon as we can.

If you call us to ask for information, you don’t need to give us any proof of your disability.

If you give us your contact details, we will keep them private.

We make information about our services in a range of formats.

Many of our documents are in plain English or Easy Read, like this document.

We can make our documents or information into different accessible formats.

We promote our services by:

• sending out and displaying written information like our annual report and brochures about what we do

• making a plan for how we use our social media, like our Facebook page

• taking part in events in the community

• presenting at conferences, workshops and training sessions

• taking part in community groups and committees

• meeting other people and organisations who work with and support people with disabilities

• meeting with and talking to politicians and the government

• helping to run support groups and self-advocacy groups for people with disabilities.

There are 4 other documents connected to this policy, our:

• People With disabilities WA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• People With disabilities WA’s Strategic Plan
• Individual Advocacy Team Induction Package
• Individual Advocacy Procedure.

Advocate

An advocate is a person who supports you. They help you have your say. They can also give you information and advice.

Independent

If a person is independent they must:

• only be on your side
• only look after your interests.

Individual advocacy

Is when a professional advocate supports a person with a problem. The problem is usually one they haven’t been able to solve on their own.

Intake process

This is the steps we go through when we first start working with you.

Policy

A plan for how we will do things.

Rights

Having rights means you can expect to be treated fairly.

Self-advocacy

When a person with disability is supported to speak up for themselves.

You can contact us on:

08 9420 7279

Country Callers 1800 193 331

[email protected]

City West Lotteries House

Unit 23, 2 Dehli Street

West Perth WA 6005

www.pwdwa.org