The Ethics of Advocacy: Using Your VOICE to Champion Change Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Ethics of Advocacy:

Using Your VOICE to Champion Change

• Dr. Roberta Neault

Life Strategies Ltd.

604-856-2386 roberta@lifestrategies.ca www.lifestrategies.ca

Presented by:

CDANZ Code of Ethics

Promote professionalism/respect for career development practice s Represent services, qualifications, and experience accurately/fully Respect client’s dignity, personal rights, and right to self-determination Ensure ethical/cultural dimensions are respected Prioritise client’s wellbeing, positive growth, and development Disclose conflicts of interest, known or potential Remain socially aware of impact of actions and misuse of influence Inform client of contractual limits to confidentiality/rights Provide legal, responsible, transparent, fair, reasonable, and timely services Maintain professional currency/qualifications Source: http://www.cdanz.org.nz/about-cdanz/code-of-ethics/

• 1. FEEL THE FEELINGS

Emotions as Fuel for Change

Anger Sadness No humour Irritated Annoyed Exasperated Miserable Depressed

• 2. CHANNEL

OUTRAGE TO CHAMPION CHANGE

To advocate is to…

Work towards social justice Protect a client’s rights Serve as the client’s voice

Source: http://www.ehow.com/facts_6819327_advocacy-code- ethics.html#ixzz1AwfCX6z0

• 3. CONDUCT

A NEEDS ANALYSIS

Choose a Burning Issue

Government and policy Treatment of addictions Disrespectful/biased employers Advancement of transferable skills training Pregnant women and women on maternity leave Subjectivity of funding decisions Assisting clients to get additional benefits Homelessness Troubled teens and youth that do not “fit” Safe, secure, and affordable housing Case management within a new structure

• 4. RAISE

AWARENESS

4 Stages of Learning Model

Incompetent Competent Conscious Unconscious Conscious Incompetence Conscious Competence

Unconscious Incompetence Unconscious Competence

You’re learning . . . but it’s a struggle You know you don’t know You don’t know what you don’t know You can do it without thinking about it

Getting the Word Out

Explain concerns to your client

• This may result in client’s informed consent

Share your own experiences and insights

• Omit specific client details

Recognize risks

• Clients may still be recognized
• Concerns may be minimized without detail

Consult with colleagues and supervisors

• 5. MAKE A CASE

FOR ADVOCACY

Why Advocate?

• Promote change
• Improve quality of life
• Remove potential barriers to

success

Client- Care

• Promote well being
• Avoid burnout

Self- Care

Risks/Benefits of Advocacy

Benefits

• Open doors
• Navigate “red

tape”

• Spark personal

growth in clients

• Create change

Risks

• Conflict
• Disempowerment
• Danger
• Misinformation

Making a Compelling Case

What’s your question? What data do you need? How can you collect it? How can you clearly report results? Who needs to know? How will you reach them?

• 6. MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY

OR GET INFORMED CONSENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION

Preserving Client Confidentiality

Honour clients’ request to not “make a fuss” Don’t let your own need for justice

• ver-ride your clients’ right to privacy

Obtain client consent to advocate Acknowledge when is it okay to breach confidentiality

• 7. STAY FOCUSSED

• 8. DRAW YOUR LINE IN THE SAND

• 9. FACILITATE

SELF-ADVOCACY

Help People Help Themselves

Be a Role Model Coach Mentor Teach

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Goal-setting and action-planning

• 10. MONITOR

YOUR APPROACH

Ethical Decision-Making Model

Recognize that an ethical dilemma exists Identify the relevant ethical issues Examine the risks / benefits of each action Choose a solution, take action, evaluate the results Learn from the situation

10 Tips for Ethical Advocacy

• 1. Feel the feelings
• 2. Channel outrage to champion change
• 3. Conduct a needs analysis
• 4. Raise awareness
• 5. Make a case for advocacy
• 6. Maintain confidentiality
• 7. Stay focussed
• 8. Draw your line in the sand
• 9. Facilitate self-advocacy
• 10. Monitor your approach