How to Find and Work with a Support Worker or Advocate
This comprehensive guide provides steps with examples to help you navigate the process of finding and working with a support worker or advocate. It includes resources and suggestions to ensure you receive the best support tailored to your needs.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to find and work with a support worker or advocate.
Understand the Role of a Support Worker or Advocate
Support Worker:
Practical Support:
Example: A support worker might help you organise your home, attend appointments with you, or create a weekly routine.
Emotional Support:
Example: They might help you manage anxiety by creating calming strategies or accompanying you to social events.
Advocate:
Representation:
Example: If you struggle to explain your needs during a benefits assessment, an advocate can speak on your behalf.
Rights and Entitlements:
Example: An advocate can ensure that you receive reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
More Examples of When You Might Need Help
Navigating Healthcare: Understanding medical diagnoses, booking appointments, or accessing mental health services.
Accessing Education or Work Support: Ensuring reasonable adjustments in a school or workplace setting.
Appealing Decisions: Support with benefits like PIP or Universal Credit appeals.
Identify What Support You Need
Break Down Specific Challenges:
Write down each challenge in detail.
Example: Instead of “I need help with appointments,” specify, “I need help booking appointments, remembering dates, and asking questions during the appointment.”
Think About Long-Term Goals:
Consider how a support worker or advocate can help you achieve your goals.
Example: If your goal is to gain independence, a support worker might help you learn how to cook or use public transport.
Create a Prioritised List:
Order your needs from most to least urgent.
Example:
Help with managing benefits paperwork.
Support with attending medical appointments.
Assistance with finding social activities.
Find a Support Worker or Advocate
Local Authority Needs Assessment:
Request a needs assessment to determine if you qualify for support through social care.
Example: Your council may provide a support worker for help with daily tasks like cooking or attending appointments.
Contact: Find your local council.
Advocacy Organisations:
Reach out to specialised advocacy groups for representation and advice.
Examples:
VoiceAbility: Helps with health and social care issues (www.voiceability.org).
POhWER: Assists with benefits, care, and health (www.pohwer.net).
Charities and Nonprofits:
Example:
National Autistic Society (NAS): Offers services like autism-specific advocacy and support (www.autism.org.uk).
Mencap: Focuses on supporting people with learning disabilities (www.mencap.org.uk).
Use Online Search Tools:
Example:
Advicelocal: Enter your postcode to find local support (www.advicelocal.uk).
Contact Your GP or Health Professional:
Ask them to refer you to support services.
Example: Your GP might connect you to local support groups or social care services.
Contact and Interview Potential Support Workers or Advocates
Contact Multiple Services:
Example: Call at least three organisations to compare their services and availability.
Prepare a List of Questions:
Examples:
“How will you communicate with me if I feel overwhelmed?”
“Can you accompany me to appointments and help explain what I need?”
Assess Their Experience:
Example: “Have you worked with clients who have ______ and health difficulties?”
Evaluate Communication Style:
Example: If you prefer written communication, ask if they’re willing to use emails or texts instead of phone calls.
Trial Period:
If possible, arrange a short trial period to see if their approach works for you.
Work Effectively with Your Support Worker or Advocate
Set Clear Goals:
Write down your goals together during your first meeting.
Example: “My goal is to feel confident attending my PIP assessment.”
Create a Communication Plan:
Example: Agree on weekly check-ins via phone, email, or face-to-face meetings.
Be Open About Your Needs:
Example: “I need extra time to process information, so please explain things slowly.”
Evaluate Progress Regularly:
Example: Review your progress monthly and adjust goals as needed.
Provide Feedback:
Example: If you find a certain strategy helpful, let them know so they can use it more often.
Know Your Rights
Social Care Needs Assessment:
You are entitled to an assessment of your needs by your local council under the Care Act 2014.
Independent Advocacy:
If you have difficulty representing yourself, you have the right to an independent advocate during care assessments.
Reasonable Adjustments:
Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations must make adjustments for disabled people.
Example: Requesting a quiet space during a benefits assessment.
What to Do If You Struggle to Find Support
Reach Out to Specialist Helplines:
Scope Helpline: Advice on finding support workers and advocates.
Phone: 0808 800 3333
Ask Local Support Groups:
Example: A local support group may recommend trusted advocates.
Consider Peer Support:
Example: Join online forums like the National Autistic Society’s Community Forum (community.autism.org.uk).
Explore Private Options:
If public services aren’t available, consider private support workers.
Example: Use Care Sourcer to find private carers (www.caresourcer.com).
Additional Resources and Key Contacts
POhWER: Free advocacy services for health and social care.
Phone: 0300 456 2370
VoiceAbility: Independent advocacy services.
National Autistic Society: Advocacy and support for autistic people.
Phone: 0808 800 4104
Advicelocal: Find local advocacy services.
Mind (Mental Health Support): Advocacy for mental health needs.
Practice Self-Compassion
Acknowledge Progress:
Celebrate small achievements, like contacting one organisation or arranging an initial meeting.
Take Breaks When Needed:
Example: If a meeting feels overwhelming, ask to pause or reschedule.
Final Thoughts
By following these expanded steps, examples, and resources, you’ll be better equipped to find and work with a support worker or advocate who can meet your needs. Use the listed contacts and tools to ensure you have the support you deserve.