UKAN

Training in mental health advocacy

The UK Advocacy Network offers high quality training to mental health service user / survivor groups, advocacy services and mental health professionals.

Following the most recent review of our training and development services, we are now able to provide a comprehensive mental health advocacy training course addressing the following issues:

The purpose and principles of independent mental health advocacy

What is advocacy?; The need for advocacy and its outcomes; The advocacy process; Different types of advocacy; Boundaries, values, principles and ethics of advocacy.

Skills for effective mental health advocacy

Listening and communication; Negotiation; Providing information to service users; Enabling people to understand their options, choices and rights, and to choose a course of action.

Understanding and responding to the specific advocacy needs of different communities

People from Black and minority ethnic communities; Older people; Younger people; Non-instructed advocacy.

Managing personal development, workload and administration in advocacy projects

Management and administration of advocacy caseloads; Record-keeping; Reporting arrangements; Personal development; Recognising limitations as an advocate and taking appropriate action.

In addition to this course, we can offer training in the following areas:

Complaints
Difficult situations in mental health advocacy
Stigma and social exclusion
Working together as a group
Employing volunteers and paid workers in advocacy projects
Support for people involved in mental health groups
Reforming the Mental Health Act
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and IMCA
User involvement in mental health services
Self-advocacy

UKAN can also provide tailor-made solutions to the training needs of groups with an interest in mental health advocacy, self-advocacy and user involvement.

Workers with extensive experience of providing advocacy training and working as front line mental health advocates facilitate UKAN training and development services.

We also offer a comprehensive independent evaluation service for mental health, social and community groups of all kinds.

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