Generic one to one advocacy case studies

These case studies follow the stages of the advocacy issue circle to demonstrate the way the service works with the client.

Case Study 1

Stage 1: The Client

• A client approached POhWER.
• The client had developed physical and cognitive impairments as a result of an aneurism that burst about five years ago.

Stage 2: Issues

• During the first meeting the Advocate listened to the client.
• Together they agreed upon the following issue to be addressed: to have daily access to exercise equipment.
• The Advocate gave the client several options as to how to proceed.
• The client directed the Advocate to assist him in writing to his GP to request an appointment with the Advocate present.

Stage 3: Actions

• The Advocate supported the client during the appointment.
• The GP argued that physiotherapy would not improve the client’s mobility to any significant degree.
• The Advocate supported the client to ask questions and express their point of view.

Stage 4: Review

• The client was dissatisfied with the GP’s view and wanted to try some fresh options.

This brought the process back to the issue stage of the circle so we return to stage 2.

Stage 2(1): Issue

• The client instructed the Advocate that he still wanted a second opinion, and to meet a Physiotherapist.

Stage 3(1): Actions

• The Advocate wrote to the GP with the client’s request.
• The Advocate also agreed to write to the client’s Consultant to request that he gave an opinion on the information the GP had given.
• The client was given an appointment with a Physiotherapist.
• The Physiotherapist gave the client information about the potential risk of strenuous exercise.
• The Physiotherapist reaffirmed what the GP had previously told him, but then devised a safe exercise programme for him.

Stage 4(1): Review

• The Advocate met with the client to read and review the meeting and read through the Consultant’s letter.
• The client informed the Advocate that this had helped him come to terms with his situation.
• The client decided to carry out the safe exercise programme.
• At this point the client and Advocate agreed closure.
• The Advocate explained how the client can contact POhWER in the future if he had any concerns or issues.

Case Study 2

Stage 1: The Client

• A client contacts POhWER requesting support at an Initial Child Protection Conference.
• The client informs the Advocate that this is further to investigation of injuries to one of her children.

Stage 2: The Issue

• The client informs the Advocate that concerns were raised at the hospital when she had taken the child for medical attention.
• Other issues investigated were around the children’s poor attendance at school and the mother’s ability to manage one of her children’s behaviour.
• The mother was able to provide an explanation for the injuries, which she stated were caused as a result of rough play by a sibling.
• The client informed the Advocate that she had attempted to address the issues of non-attendance and behaviour management through contact with an Education Welfare Officer.
• The client agreed for the Advocate to provide her with information around the Child Protection process, her rights and possible outcomes.

Stage 3: Action

• The Advocate arranged to support the client to read through the conference report.
• With the client’s consent the Advocate liaised with the social worker and requested time prior to the conference to support her in reading through the report and highlighting any issues.
• The Advocate then supported the client at the conference to speak up and to provide clarification of the issues highlighted in the report.
• The Advocate made a record of what was discussed at the meeting and actions agreed.
• The outcome of the conference was the decision not to register the children and to provide the family with Section 17 support.
• The Advocate provided the client with information about what this meant for her.

Stage 4: Review

• The Advocate and client agreed to close the issue.
• At this point the client requested to make a formal complaint around the conduct of the investigating social worker.
• She wanted to complain because she felt that she was given inaccurate information about what could happen to herself and the children.
• The Advocate provided the client with information about the Children, Schools and Families (CSF) complaints procedure and explored her options around raising the complaint.
• The client requested that a letter of complaint was written on her behalf and the Advocate continued to support her through the stages.
• This issue was dealt with as a separate issue.

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