Assert your personal standpoint unequivocally

Self-advocacy is all about standing up for your rights, so you can receive the care you and the one you love deserve. It's about communicating, negotiating, and partnering with professionals to ensure you get the help you need without feeling lost in a maze of service systems.

A lot of carers feel that the professional world is working against them and they must fight tooth and nail for every little gain. But by forming partnerships and using advocacy to resolve issues, everyone involved can benefit. This approach makes it easier to organize the necessary supports for you and the person you care for, ensuring they work for you.

Remember, you're a vital part of the care team, with a unique and deep understanding of the person's needs. Professionals should treat you as a respected partner-in-care. Successful partnerships are built on mutual respect, shared common goals, appreciation of each other's expertise, trust, and shared decision-making.

In New South Wales, the Carers Act 2010 recognizes the value that carers bring and encourages their contributions.

Effective advocacy means speaking out on behalf of those who are disadvantaged and representing them in the best possible light. Here's how you can advocate effectively:

Seek advice: Reach out to Carers NSW at 1800 242 636 for advice and support in advocating for yourself or the person you care for. They can also connect you with other organizations that can help.
Approach the right person or organization: Identify who you need to talk to based on the issues you want to address. If the first person or organization you approach can't help, ask them for advice on who to contact next.
Know your rights: Both you and the person you care for have rights related to the services and supports provided to you. Know what your rights are by reading through service charters, guidelines, and policies.
Learn about the situation: Try to understand the issue from different perspectives. If you're confused by professional jargon, ask for explanations in language that you're comfortable with.
Know what you want: Be clear about your ideal outcome, whether it's for a new service to be made available or for the delivery of services to change. Remember, be open to compromise, but don't accept unreasonable solutions.
Prepare a meeting plan: Make sure you're given enough time to discuss your concerns thoroughly. Write down your questions and concerns, and create a plan of what you want to talk about.
Be assertive: Good communicators are clear and honest about their needs, but also listen carefully and consider other perspectives. Express your thoughts in a calm, understanding manner to ensure a productive conversation.
Negotiate: Collaborate with the other party to find a solution that works for both of you. Emphasize common ground, be constructive in resolving the issue, and be well-prepared.
Keep records: Just like a detective, keep careful notes and documents of your meetings and conversations, including the name, position, and summary of what was said. Ask for important decisions and information to be confirmed in writing.
Persevere: Once you've agreed on a plan, follow up to make sure the agreed-upon actions are taken. Don't be afraid to ask questions and challenge complacent responses.

By utilizing the resources provided by organizations like Carers NSW and Mental Health Carers NSW, carers can engage in advocacy, connect with supportive networks, raise awareness, collaborate with health services, and use media platforms to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities for everyone.

By working closely with professionals in the realms of science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health, carers can collaborate to ensure the wellbeing of the person they care for.
Effective advocacy, as demonstrated in the self-advocacy approach, can lead to a holistic approach to care that promotes physical, mental, and social wellbeing for both the carer and the one they love.