Elements and Performance Criteria
- Assist clients to identify their rights and represent their own needs
- Assist client to identify their own needs and rights and to determine if their rights are being infringed or are not being met
- Undertake an assessment with the client, and if necessary with significant others and colleagues to identify client's ability to advocate for self
- Provide client with information about available options for meeting their needs and assist them to identify their preferred option, and to make contact and negotiate with relevant people and agencies where appropriate
- Ensure information provided to clients about client rights and responsibilities is researched, relevant and timely
- Advocate on behalf of clients on request
- Initiate, negotiate and implement relevant strategies for addressing client needs
- On request from the client and in on-going consultation with the client, identify and contact the most appropriate individuals or organisations and represent the client's point of view clearly to optimise outcomes for the client
- Ensure information is kept in confidence unless authorisation is given to release it
- Discuss progress and outcomes with the client and take further action as necessary
- Advocate for clients
- raise issues with the most appropriate person/ people in a way that upholds the rights and supports reasonable expectations of the client
- initiate and implement strategies for addressing client needs in consultation with appropriate personnel
- identify and redress potential conflict of interest