Are you passionate about social welfare and justice? Advocacy raises awareness and fuels action! So, if you want to deepen your understanding of effective campaigning to promote social justice, this professional development course is ideal for you!
The Certificate of Advocacy will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to represent the interests of those individuals who require advocacy services in the community and health sectors. This online course will take you through the representative role and teach you how to negotiate outcomes and liaise with key people in the advocacy process.
In this online advocacy skills course, you will deepen your understanding of the critical issues of advocacy and the vital planning tools and proven advocacy methods required to put strategies into action. You will also learn how to respond appropriately to client needs and to understand and provide advocacy to those experiencing mental health conditions.
On completion of this course, you will have gained the skills necessary to advocate for individuals and groups within your community and globally using proven methods affecting change.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
- Client interests, rights and needs
- Overcoming barriers
- Advocacy
- Client referral
- Community attitudes
- SODAS decision-making process
- Client meetings / phone calls
- Client assessment
- Implement strategies
- Identify barriers
- Optimise outcomes for client
- Confidentiality
- Client rights and preferences
- Duty of care
- Supervisor consultation
- Document of client contact
- Risk management
- Apply work practices
- Code of ethics
- Health and safety
- Legal requirements
- Health professionals/specialists
- Community support
- Client complaints
- Progress reviews
- Feedback
- Staff competence
Unit 2 - Provide advocacy and representation services
- Representative role and process
- Conditions of representation
- Advocacy
- Consent to advocacy
- Guardianship
- Key support people
- Resources required
- Reporting and accountability
- Decision-making forums
- Organisational interests
- Identify concerns
- Framework for action
- Interests of individuals or groups
- Progress reports
- Negotiate outcomes
- Liaise with key people
- Strategic alliances and networks
- Collaborative planning and action
- Identify areas of conflict
- Purpose and objectives
- Effectiveness of strategies
- Report outcomes
- Make improvements
Unit 3 - Provide systems advocacy services
- Client rights and interests
- Advocacy
- Consent to advocacy
- Advocacy systems
- Effective strategies
- Peak industry bodies
- Advocacy issues
- Community consultation
- Consultation processes
- Effective networking
- Meetings
- Action plans
- Projects and programs
- Service improvements
- Surveys and focus groups
- Breaches of service delivery
- Complaints assistance
- Law and ethics
- Promote service providers
- Strategic alliances and partnerships
- Develop a framework for change
- Review outcomes
- Lessons learned
- Areas requiring change
- Continuous improvement cycle
- PDCA Cycle
Unit 4 - Respond to Client Needs
- Client rights and interests
- Advocacy
- Consent to advocacy
- Advocacy systems
- Effective strategies
- Peak industry bodies
- Advocacy issues
- Community consultation
- Consultation processes
- Effective networking
- Meetings
- Action plans
- Projects and programs
- Service improvements
- Surveys and focus groups
- Breaches of service delivery
- Complaints assistance
- Law and ethics
- Promote service providers
- Strategic alliances and partnerships
- Develop a framework for change
- Review outcomes
- Lessons learned
- Areas requiring change
- Continuous improvement cycle
- PDCA Cycle
Unit 5 - Work With People With Mental Health Issues
- Establish Respectful relationships with people with mental health conditions
- Communication and active listening
- Meeting in a relaxed setting/atmosphere
- Acting with warmth, be friendly and interested
- Paraphrasing
- Rights of individuals
- Benefits of having a care plan
- Strengths-based approach
- Respect for differences
- Cultural styles and preferences
- Cross cultural interactions and accommodations
- Addressing linguistic differences
- Speaking clearly and simply
- Supporting the rights of individuals
- Client rights
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Maintaining client profiles
- Compliance
- Sharing information with relevant carers
- Gathering and interpreting information from
- Mental health issues
- Recovery model
- Ability for the person to address their own needs
- Family and carers providing a secure base
- Strategies to improve family and carer involvement.
- Managing personal values and attitudes
- Organisational values and guidelines
- Duty of care
- Foreseeable harm
- Dignity of risk
- Asserting right of dignity
- Progress towards goal
- Data access from medical practitioners
- Delivery of services to client
- Service plan (case manager and client)
- Care strategies and goal setting
- Setting realistic targets
- Upholding the persons rights
- Person-centred approaches
- Family sensitive approaches
- Community development and education
- Interventions to promote mental health
- Case management
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- Supported employment
- Peer support – self help
- Crisis situation responses
- Early intervention/prevention
- Residential services
- Service plans and delivery
- Records management
- What to include in case notes
- Personal limits
Study Hours
Estimated duration 75 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
I enjoyed being able to do the course at my own pace. It was a very informative course and I feel more confident in being able to do this type of work in the future. The instructors were very quick to reply whenever I had any questions, which made me feel very supported throughout the course.
G. Auciello, Reservoir, VIC | Certificate of Advocacy
I have found the website very easy to use. It is one of the best websites that I have worked on. I have really enjoyed studying my course.
K. Griffiths, Teddington, QLD | Certificate of Advocacy
I like the freedom of studying at my own pace so this online course really suited me
K. Sutherland, Farrar, NT | Certificate of Advocacy
Fantastic material and comprehensive feedback from the tutors. Course material was relevant and extremely well documented. Will be recommending our organisation to put future employees through.
H. Lachs, Melbourne, VIC | Certificate of Advocacy
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Afterpay: Within 1-2 working days
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Student Advocacy and Support Officer
- Community Advocacy Officer
- Advocacy Officer
- Counselling Roles
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