M1 - Learner Manual

A good advocate can identify relevant personnel or agencies who can assist them. This is often a government department such as the Police, Immigration or Child Protection departments. Personnel from within these departments are always a good place to start so that you can find out as much information you can about the case, and potentially do some negotiation at an early stage. It may be that your client is already engaged with a number of services and this is relevant to your advocacy strategy. You may need to call a Police Officer, a case worker or probation and parole officer. You may need to write a letter to a Departmental Representative or a psychologist or Youth Worker. You may need information or you may need to request a letter of support. In some cases a Department representative may not be aware of the services your client is working with. If you get support letters and share them this may help to change their view about an issue in dispute. 

It may also be important to make an appropriate referral for your client to another service. This may be a support service such as a counselling or some other specialist service. In some cases it may be another legal service.