Advocacy must start from the individual's viewpoint,
ensuring that the client's/partner's voice is heard and
that their wishes and rights are respected. People
coming to advocacy services must be in control of the
advocacy process. Advocacy must work in the way that
clients/partners want and at the pace that they want,
otherwise it re-creates the problem it is supposed to address.

Clients/partners should:
- Expect to be treated with respect;
- Be assured that they are in charge of the advocacy process;
- Be aware of their freedom to stop working with their advocate
  at any stage;
- Be offered a service that is accessible and responsive to their
  particular needs;
- Be told of how and when the advocacy process will end.

Advocates should:
- Always treat clients/partners with respect;
- Work on issues as defined by the client/partner, in
  a manner chosen by the client/partner and at the
  pace decided by the client/partner;
- Aim to identify closely with the client/partner;
- Be accountable to the client/partner before anyone else.

The co-ordinator/manager should:
- Aim to select the most suitable advocate for each client/partner;
- Consider sympathetically a request for a different advocate;
- Ensure that initial training highlights the key principles
  of advocacy;
- Monitor the client's/partner's views at the end of the
  advocacy process.

The management committee/service should:
- Be welcoming to people who use the service and supportive
  of those who work for them.

Demonstrating how you put the person first
These are some ways that a service might be able to show that
it always puts the individual first.

Information to clients/partners
- Introductory information explicitly states that the client/partner
  is always in control;
- The client/partner is informed that they are the person who will 
  make decisions;
- The client/partner knows that they can request a different 
  advocate;
- Initial information explicitly states that they are free to 
  stop working with an advocate eat any time they choose.
 
Information to advocates
- Advocates' training covers the need to identify closely 
  with your client/partner;
- Advocate's training covers expertise through experience.

Recording information
- Advocacy Issues are recorded in client/partner's own words;
- Client's/partner's views on who controlled the process are
  monitored at end of the process;
- Client's/partner's views on how to approach issues are recorded.

Management
- The co-ordinator/manager explores issues of control of the
  advocacy process in supervision/support meetings.