Guides: Community Services: Advocacy

Websites

Anglicare Anglicare WA is a leading not-for-profit organisation highly regarded by clients, funders and donors. We play an important part in building strong communities and families. We influence policy makers and ensure that institutions and systems are attuned to the needs of all people in our community. Our work is achieved in a spirit of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians.
Australian Association of Social Workers - Social policy & advocacy Advocacy is a core skill of the social work profession and has been since the profession’s very beginning. Social workers have an ethical and professional responsibility to make sure that social policy does not discriminate or disadvantage members of society.
Australian Council of Social Services The Australian Council of Social Service is a national advocate supporting people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality, and the peak council for community services nationally.
Community Advocacy Centre The resources provided on this area of Our Community's website are designed to help community groups make the most of the tools available to them - new and old. ( ourcommunity.com.au).
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) Central is a free service which helps women who have experienced, or are at risk of domestic violence, access support.
Economic Justice Australia Economic Justice Australia is the peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights.
Economic Justice Australia Economic Justice Australia is the peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights.
Mental Health Australia Mental Health Australia is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector and committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians.
National Disability Advocacy Program The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) provides people with disability with access to effective disability advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights enabling community participation.
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them.
Social Ventures Australia Social Ventures Australia works to improve the lives of people in need. We focus on keys to overcoming disadvantage in Australia, including great education, sustainable jobs, stable housing and appropriate health, disability and community services.
WACOSS WACOSS, the leading peak organisation for the Social Service Sector in WA represents 300 member organisations and affiliates, and over 800 organisations involved in the provision of services to the community. Provides information on policies, advocacy, sector development, training and factsheets, reports and presentations.
Welfare Rights & Advocacy Service Welfare Rights & Advocacy Service is a not for profit community legal centre that provides independent advice, information, referral, representation and advocacy in relation to Centrelink, Family Assistance, Tenancy and Social Security prosecution matters. The agency is based in Perth and provides its services in a geographic catchment area within WA. There is no charge for the service.
Wesley Mission Wesley Mission reaches all faces of Australia—from children, families and the elderly, to those struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health, financial or domestic challenges and helps them face life’s challenges and create the life they want.

Streaming videos

Advocacy - Ted Talks A playlist of TED TALKS around the subject of Advocacy
Advocate This is about being proud of pushing the boundaries, being proud about speaking out, and about making Australia a better place for all Australians. It is about justice and hopefully will help all of us advocate for a better and fairer Australia.
Disability Advocacy: giving people with a disability a fair go This video presentation is designed to show people with a disability how to seek the help of an Advocate to deal with unfair treatment. The two case studies presented can be viewed and discussed in a group information session. Each case identifies how an Advocate can help with a range options to combat unfair treatment.
Indigenous Advocacy: What does it mean to our young Indigenous Australians? 14 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were selected from around Australia to attend this event, intertwining each individuals' knowledge and strength of their leadership, united with their cultural sense and value of either their location or prime experiences. This video is a snapshot of what Indigenous Advocacy at a national level would mean to a young Indigenous Australian, from some of our selected participants.
The Power of Advocacy In 2000, world leaders promised to get all children into school by 2015, but millions of children are still missing out on the opportunity to go to school. All around the world young people have united to demand that world leaders deliver on their promise of universal education. To help make change happen, Plan worked with young people and partner organisations to develop a toolkit which provided everything youth need to join the millions of young leaders around the world advocating for change.

Books in the Library

Advocacy in Action Advocacy for people with disabilities is widely practised, but what about self-advocacy? How often do parents or carers speak 'for' you and prevent you being heard? Do you know your rights within advocacy law? This book looks at problems that can occur in an advocacy partnership, such as dependency on the advocate and conflict between partners. It also discusses advocacy and the law.