ADVOCACY STUDIES - Citizens Information Board

Higher Certificate in Arts in
ADVOCACY
STUDIES
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SLIGO
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITIZENS INFORMATION
BOARD AND THE EQUALITY AUTHORITY
Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies
[NQAI Level 6]
delivered through distance education

The Department of Humanities has a long and successful
tradition of learner centred education and is committed to the
provision of the highest quality programmes based on
academic excellence and professional relevance.
The Institute of Technology Sligo is very conscious of the need
to prepare our students for the world of work and places
significant emphasis in this course on practice based learning.
A key strength of this Higher Certificate course is the students
themselves and the rich diverse experiences they bring to the
class based discussions and project work.
TYPE OF COURSE
The course is a Higher Certificate in Arts in Advocacy Studies
[NQAI level 6] offered by distance learning in 12 modules.
The 12 modules are delivered over a 2 year period and
could be completed within this timeframe to obtain the
certificate. In each semester (half year), three modules will be
offered. Face-to-face aspects of the course involve three Saturday
classes for each module over the space of three months. Currently
the course is delivered at two centres, one in Sligo and one in
Dublin.
Centres will operate on the basis of a minimum of 15
students registered at each centre.
Does your work empower those who are marginalised
Do you speak up on your own behalf or for others
Do you help others to have their voice heard
If so this course will interest you.
It will also be of use to information workers, care practitioners,
social workers, community workers . . .
ADVOCATES ARE...
people who help, facilitate, negotiate, defend
. . . It is their job to be on the side of their
client through enabling her/his voice be
heard.
SCHEDULE OF MODULES
Year 1 modules
semester 1 semester 2
September - December:
ADVO 101 Introduction to Advocacy
ADVO 102 Equality Studies
ADVO 103 Communications 1
January - May:
ADVO 104 Principles of Law
ADVO 105 Disability Studies
ADVO 106 Information Management
LEVEL OF COMMITMENT
Each module requires about 115 hours of learning over 15
weeks: 9 of these will be face-to-face hours, with the remainder
made up of self-directed reading, research and on-line
activities. The face-to-face teaching will consist of 3 Saturday
seminars per semester. Students will be able to contact their
tutors, access material and interact with other students
through the Internet and email.
ACCREDITATION
To obtain an accredited Higher Certificate, you must
successfully complete all 12 modules.
The course is accredited by the Institute of Technology, Sligo
which has degree-awarding authority within the National
Qualifications framework.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment of modules comprises of a mix of assignments, in
class tests and exams. Most of the assessment is by
assignment.
EXEMPTIONS
You may be able to obtain exemptions from specific modules
for relevant previous study and/or advocacy related work
experience. All enquiries are to be directed to the Institute of
Technology, Sligo, Open Learning Facilitator, Jennifer Van
Aswegen School of Business and Humanities . 071 9137216
or email vanaswegen.jennifer@itsligo.ie.
The deadline for receipt of applications for exemptions in semester
1 is Tuesday 15th September 2009; the deadline in semester 2 is
Friday 15th January 2010
Year 2 modules
semester 3 semester 4
September - December:
January - May:
ADVO 201 Advocacy 2
ADVO 204 Ethics
ADVO 202 Law 2 ADVO 205 Communications 2
ADVO 203 Advocacy Project/Placement ADVO 206 Social Administration
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THE ADVOCACY MODULES develop a greater
understanding about forms of advocacy and the qualities and
skills needed for those who work formally or informally as an
advocate
THE COMMUNICATIONS MODULES examine the
theory and practice of communication as it relates specifically
to advocacy, including the challenges of communicating with
diverse groups
DISABILITY STUDIES explores the concept of disability,
traces the history of the disability movement and addresses
contemporary disability issues within a rights-based framework
EQUALITY STUDIES explores the concept of equality in
its philosophical, legal and policy contexts, with a strong focus
on Irish equality legislation, policy and processes
ETHICS aims to introduce ethics as a subject of study in
relation to social care advocacy. You will be able to explain
how advocates can use ethical values and principles to justify
providing better social care policies and practices.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT emphasises the key
importance of information within organisations, and explores
the issues related to managing information, as well as broader
philosophical questions about privacy and other social
concerns
THE LAW MODULES offer thorough knowledge of the
basics of Irish legal and quasi-legal structures, practices and
processes, including the activities of administrative tribunals
SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION aims to explain the
adminstration and welfare provision mix in the provision of
social services delivery in Ireland.
The second year modules build on those studied at first year
level, including further study in the areas of advocacy, law and
communication, as well as new topics such as ethics and social
administrations. In addition you will complete a 48 hour work
placement in the advocacy area. The placement is negotiated
individually to suit your own circumstances.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES The Institute of
Technology, Sligo is committed to being an exciting place of
learning and discovery for all of its students and strives to
provide equal educational opportunities for all, including
students with disabilities. In order to ensure that appropriate
services are coordinated in advance of the academic year, the
College strongly encourages applicants with a disability to
disclose information on their disability. Disclosure of a disability
will in no way affect a student’s application.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS You should have the
Irish Leaving Certificate or an equivalent qualification. You
should also ideally have three years’ paid or voluntary work
experience in an advocacy-related area. You may be
interviewed prior to admission to the course.
You may already have undertaken preliminary training in
advocacy such as The Citizens Information Board, Information
Providers Programme, or possibly hold a qualification in
Applied Social Studies or Social Work.
COMPUTER ACCESS As this course is
supported by email communication and online materials,
computer access is essential, therefore you need to be connected
to the internet. This may be at home or work, or through an internet
café, library or educational institution.
FEES Course fees are €375 per module (at the time of printing).
As this course is accredited by the Higher Education Authority , this
will be recognised by the Revenue Commissioners and students may
be eligible for a tax refund. Each student must contact their own branch
of the Revenue Commissioners to make the necessary arrangements.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE The course has been
developed by the Department of Humanities at the Institute, in
partnership with the Citizens Information Board, the statutory
information, advice and advocacy organisation and The
Equality Authority, which promotes and defends the rights
established in equality legislation and provides leadership on
equality issues.
Development of the course has taken place under the guidance
of a Steering Group drawing on the expertise of those involved
in advocacy issues. The group includes representatives of the
Institute, Citizens Information Board, The Equality Authority,
Ballyfermot Advocacy Service, Brothers of Charity, Disability
Equality Specialist Support Agency, Health Service Executive,
Irish Autism Action and Mental Health Ireland.
Pictured left to right:
Patrick O’Leary, The Equality Authority, Richard Regan, Roscommon Citizens
Information Service, Declan Weir, Galway Citizens Information Service, Mairide
Woods, Citizens Information Board.
Helen Lahert, Citizen Information Board and Vernon Hegarty, Winner of Governor’s
Medal and Citizen Information Board Prize

Advocacy is:
‘a dynamic process of negotiation conducted by and on behalf
of an individual who is marginalised in some way. Although
formal representation by a professional advisor or volunteer
advocate is an important aspect of advocacy another facet
involves empowering vulnerable people to become advocates
in their own lives through training, education and life
experience. To do this effectively they may need back-up
support. Another aspect of advocacy entails active lobbying by
marginalised groups and their supporters’.
Comhairle Jigsaw of Advocacy p 12
The Closing Date for applications is 8th May 2009
Application is online. Information in relation to the practical details,
timetables, application process, fees, exemptions and tax refunds, is
available from:
Niamh Doddy
Advocacy Course Administrator
School of Business and Humanities
Department of Humanities
Institute of Technology, Sligo
Sligo
(071) 9137234
Email:doddy.niamh@itsligo.ie
Further information on course content and assessments, career
opportunities is available from:
Rose Banaghan-Sesta
Advocacy Course Co-ordinator
School of Business and Humanities
Department of Humanities
Institute of Technology, Sligo
Sligo
(071) 9155307
Email: banaghan-sesta.rose@itsligo.ie