- Case advocacy—When a social worker addresses the lack of services or resources at the micro level, educates the client about available resources and programs, or fights for clients’ rights
- Legislative advocacy—When a social worker addresses a policy gap at the macro level and provides information and suggestions to legislators in order to close that gap
- Community advocacy—When a social worker represents the needs of a community at the mezzo level by engaging in group-oriented activities, such as holding a town meeting to educate the neighborhood about a particular issue they are facing
Case advocacy—When a social worker addresses the lack of services or resources at the micro level, educates the client about available resources and programs, or fights for clients’ rights
Introduction
Case advocacy is one of the most important aspects of social work. It’s what keeps us from forgetting about our clients, and it ensures that our actions are in line with their needs. Case advocacy doesn’t just happen in the context of an individual client; it can span many years and multiple agencies. It involves identifying problems, developing plans for improvement, implementing those plans and monitoring progress along the way. You may be wondering if this is something you should learn or do as a social worker—and here are five reasons why:
Address the lack of services or resources
Social workers are people who help people. We are professionals who work in the field of social work, and we do so by providing services to clients and their families.
We help those who need more information on available resources, programs, and services; as well as advocacy on behalf of our clients’ needs (short-term or long-term).
Educate client about available resources and programs
The social worker has a unique opportunity to educate the client about available resources and programs. This can be done through various methods, including:
Providing information about social services and how they work
Providing information about how to access services or use them effectively
The goal of this education is twofold:
To inform the client about what resources are available, so that he or she can make informed decisions when it comes time for him or her seek out additional help (e.g., medical care) in the future; and/or
Fight for clients’ rights
It is important to fight for clients’ rights because they are the ones who need them most. When you advocate on behalf of your clients, you are helping those in need become more empowered and self-sufficient. You can help them by:
Educating them about available resources and programs
Fighting for their rights
Case advocacy is an important part of social work!
Social workers can help clients navigate the system, advocate for themselves, and get the services they need.
In addition to providing direct case advocacy, social workers educate their clients about available resources and programs in their communities. These include local government offices (e.g., schools), non-profits that offer services directly through community centers or clinics; faith-based organizations with specialties related to mental health care; other social service agencies (e.g., health insurance companies); legal aid clinics; mental health counseling centers; substance abuse treatment programs—the list goes on!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you a little more insight into what case advocacy is, how it can benefit your social work practice, and why it’s important. Being able to advocate for your clients and fight for their rights is an essential part of being a social worker, but it’s not easy! If you’re interested in learning more about case advocacy or want some helpful tips on how best to conduct an intervention or engage with clients who may be experiencing hardships in their lives (or other situations), check out our resources page!