Advocacy in Health and Social Care Training Course

Advocacy plays a vital role in health and social care by ensuring people’s voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their choices are supported. Many individuals face barriers to expressing their views or understanding their options, particularly when they are vulnerable, unwell, or experiencing inequality.

This free advocacy course provides a clear and practical introduction to advocacy in health and social care. You’ll explore what advocacy means, the different models used in practice, the responsibilities of advocates, and the legal and ethical frameworks that guide advocacy work in the UK.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Advocacy supports fairness, inclusion, and person-centred care. Whether you work directly with individuals or support services at an organisational level, understanding advocacy helps you promote dignity, independence, and equality.

This course will help you to:

• Understand advocacy clearly: Learn what advocacy is and why it is essential in health and social care.
• Promote rights and choice: Support individuals to express their views and make informed decisions.
• Recognise different advocacy models: Understand when and how different types of advocacy are used.
• Work ethically and professionally: Apply principles such as confidentiality, impartiality, and clear boundaries.
• Navigate legal frameworks: Understand key UK legislation and its role in protecting rights.
• Challenge inequality: Learn how advocacy can address poor practice and promote accountability.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define advocacy and explain its purpose in health and social care.
• Describe how advocacy supports choice, equality, and independence.
• Identify values such as person-centred practice, inclusion, and rights.
• Recognise the main types and models of advocacy and their benefits.
• Understand the role, responsibilities, and boundaries of an advocate.
• Apply effective communication skills to support advocacy practice.
• Understand relevant UK legislation, safeguarding duties, and human rights links.
• Identify barriers to effective advocacy and strategies to overcome them.
• Evaluate the impact of advocacy and use feedback to improve practice.

Advocacy in Health and Social Care Course Outline

Module 1: The Concept of Advocacy in Health and Social Care
Learners will explore what advocacy means within health and social care and why it is essential for promoting choice, equality, and independence. This module introduces the core values of advocacy, including person-centred practice, inclusion, empowerment, and upholding individual rights, helping learners understand advocacy as a fundamental part of ethical care.

Module 2: Types and Models of Advocacy
This module examines the different types and models of advocacy used in health and social care. Learners will explore self-advocacy, peer advocacy, independent advocacy, citizen advocacy, and professional advocacy. The module explains the key features and benefits of each model and identifies situations where different types of advocacy may be most appropriate.

Module 3: The Role and Responsibilities of an Advocate
Learners will gain an understanding of the role of an advocate, including their main tasks, responsibilities, and professional boundaries. This module explores how advocates support individuals to express their views, understand information, and make informed choices. It also covers confidentiality, impartiality, and common challenges advocates may face, alongside strategies for managing them effectively.

Module 4: Legislation, Policies, and Rights Linked to Advocacy
This module focuses on the legal and policy framework that underpins advocacy practice. Learners will explore key UK legislation that influences advocacy and how laws protect individual rights. The module also explains the links between advocacy, safeguarding responsibilities, and human rights within health and social care settings.

Module 5: Communication and Relationship-Building in Advocacy
Learners will develop an understanding of the communication skills needed for effective advocacy. This module explores active listening, questioning, empathy, and building trust while maintaining clear professional boundaries. Learners will also examine common barriers to communication and practical ways to overcome them.

Module 6: Advocacy Within Health and Social Care Settings
This module looks at how advocacy operates in everyday health and social care practice. Learners will explore ways to raise awareness of advocacy services among individuals and staff. The module highlights how advocacy supports person-centred care, shared decision-making, and provides real-world examples of advocacy in organisational settings.

Module 7: Barriers and Challenges to Effective Advocacy
Learners will explore organisational, cultural, and personal barriers that can limit effective advocacy. This module examines strategies to overcome these challenges through partnership working, clear communication, and confidence in raising concerns. Learners will also consider how advocacy can challenge poor practice, discrimination, and inequality.

Module 8: The Impact and Review of Advocacy
In the final module, learners will explore how to measure and review the effectiveness of advocacy. This includes using feedback from individuals and organisations to improve practice. Learners will understand how advocacy contributes to better outcomes for service users, supports accountability, and strengthens the quality of health and social care provision.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care workers supporting individuals to make informed choices.
• Support workers, carers, and key workers involved in care planning and decision-making.
• Team leaders and managers responsible for promoting person-centred practice.
• Students and learners preparing for careers in health and social care.

No previous advocacy training is required. The course is designed to be accessible, practical, and relevant to a wide range of care roles.

FAQ

What does the course cover?
The course covers advocacy principles, models, communication skills, legal frameworks, and practical application in health and social care.

Is this course relevant to UK practice?
Yes. The content is aligned with UK legislation, safeguarding guidance, and health and social care standards.

Can I apply what I learn in my role?
Yes. The course focuses on real-world examples and practical strategies you can use in everyday practice.

How long will it take to complete?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hour to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is provided on successful completion.

Is this course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.

Advocacy ensures that people are listened to, respected, and supported to live the lives they choose. By developing your understanding of advocacy, you can help create fairer, more inclusive health and social care services.

Join this course today and strengthen your advocacy skills in health and social care.