Statement of Principles and underpinning standards

PRINCIPLES:

• Independent advocacy is loyal to the people it supports and stands by their views and wishes.
• Independent advocacy ensures people’s voices are listened to and their views taken into account.
• Independent advocacy stands up to injustice, discrimination and disempowerment.

Independent advocacy is loyal to the people it supports and stands by their views and wishes.

STANDARDS:

• Independent advocacy follows the agenda of the people supported regardless of the views, interests and agendas of others.
• Independent advocacy must be able to evidence and demonstrate its structural, financial and psychological independence from others.
• Independent advocacy provides no other services, has no other interests, ties or links other than the delivery, promotion, support and defence of independent advocacy.

Independent advocacy ensures people’s voices are listened to and their views are taken into account.

STANDARDS:

• Independent advocacy recognises and safeguards everyone’s right to be heard.
• Independent advocacy reduces the barriers people face in having their voice heard because of communication, or capacity, or the political, social, economic and personal interests of others.

Independent advocacy stands up to injustice, discrimination and disempowerment.

STANDARDS:

• Independent advocacy recognises power imbalances or barriers people face and takes steps to address these.
• Independent advocacy enables people to have more agency, greater control and influence.
• Independent advocacy challenges discrimination and promotes equality and human rights.