Abstract

Most professionals working in health or social care will be required to act as advocates as part of their work. A social worker or community nurse may need to obtain extra benefits or a particular service for a client; a housing official may need to help a tenant whose benefit has been delayed thus placing them at risk of homelessness; a voluntary body may decide to challenge a statement of special educational needs for a child.

This is a practical guide to advocacy skills specifically written for those in the health and social care professions. Neil Bateman examines the function of advocacy within these professions and how to interview, negotiate and self-manage successfully. He provides a structure for advocacy, a guide to the ethical implications and advice on litigation and legal matters. Accessible and comprehensive, Advocacy Skills for Health and Social Care Professionals will be an essential resource for all those wishing to improve their practice.

It is a very helpful and highly readable book, which has been specifically written for those in the health and social care professions. It will be of interest to those working in many different settings, including social workers, nurses, advice workers, and housing officials, to name but a few.
Emerald
Despite the specifically focused title of this book, it is of interest to counsellors because advocacy ethical principles and practical skills have relevance to our own. Case vignettes, charts and bullet point summaries illustrate these. A chapter on interviewing reminds readers of 1978 Jamieson's Rules, while others on negotiation and litigation lead on to a worthwhile discussion about the difference between linear and curvilinear problems where all the factual elements are unknown, unclear and subject to social, legal and interpersonal dispute.
Counselling
This book will be of interest to anyone who has ever been an advocate on behalf of clients with a housing department, the DSS or hospital services. There has been very little published on advocacy skills.
Health Visitor
Neil Bateman manages Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Health Authority's Welfare Rights Unit. An adviser to the Local Government Association, he has over 20 years' experience of advocacy on behalf of people using the welfare state.

This book recognises that professionals working in health or social care are required to act as advocates as part of their work and identifies the need to recognise the skills involved in advocacy work.

'Neil Bateman looks at why people need others to speak up for them. The first half contains the theory, the second practical advice to help develop advocacy skills.'

The Times 15th June 2001
Bateman's knowledge - with over 20 years experience of advocacy - is evident throughout. This paperback has the potential to become a sought-after reference tool, offering important pointers about the roles of an advocate. Both interesting and informative, I would fully expect it to remain a useful resource, at least until the time of the next required update.
Working with Older People
Written for health and social care professionals in practice, it will be useful to undergraduates in these professions as a textbook, and to experienced professionals reflecting on their practice. It ought to be read by general managers and elected members who need to understand the importance their staff attach to their advocacy function and its value to clients when done well. The straightforward style of the writing, supported by simple, clear presentation, provides a handy-sized book. The subject is accorded due seriousness, but it is neither dull nor esoteric. It has sufficient examples from practice throughout.
Health Service Journal
`…This book helpfully highlights the legitimate advocacy and role of many professionals, and gives sound practical advice on how to develop this aspect of their work as an area of professional skill and responsibility… I think this book can serve a valuable function in the development of advocacy as an important aspect of the human service worker's role.'
The British Journal of Social Work
This book helpfully highlights the legitimate advocacy role of many professionals, and gives sound practical advice on how to develop this aspect of their work as an area of professional skill and responsibility.
British Journal of Social work
Bateman's book is an interesting practice guide which can help those involved in social work education and practice. It can also tell language teachers a good deal about the concerns of those educators and practitioners.
Competence in Social Work Practice