Login Learner Zone Lost Learner zone login? Register on learner zone

Latest News

June 2011
KMT is working with Oldham Children’s rights service to deliver a 2 day programme in Independent Visiting. This hands on course will see a group of volunteers developing skills in supporting young people who are in care and learning practical skills in how to make a difference .

March 2011
KMT has been commissioned by Surrey County Council to provide Peer Advocacy Training. This exciting new project will see young care experienced young people acting in the Peer Advocacy Role supporting young people in care and making advocacy accessible. The training was held over 2 days and included work on group work, confidentiality, safe working and how to use advocacy skills.

November 2010
KMT are now working closely with VoiceAbility to provide qualifications in Independent Advocacy to staff teams across the country. This venture means that through KMT training VoiceAbility will become one of the largest users of qualified advocates in the UK.

Testimonials

I could not recommend this course more. It has really reinvigorated my interest in advocacy and wider issues surrounding mental health

You have to do this course!

Every advocate who wishes to be become a professional in the field should do this course

The tutor was excellent at ‘reading’ the mood of the group. Energising and focusing learning. It was good to be challenged. Made me reflect constantly on my own practice. When’s the next one!

The course was above and beyond what I expected… excellent trainer! In fact probably the most enjoyable and interactive training I’ve ever had.

Way exceeded any expectations. I was very nervous about attending but I am so glad I did

The teaching and support was good and their experience helped. Both had a very good knowledge

I was very impressed with how the course was presented

I thoroughly enjoyed the training and found the trainer very useful and informative. Chris was great a good balance of humour, professionalism and ability to re-focus group.

Very well presented, Sues experience was good

Theresa and Sue made a good team. Its obvious they have worked together before and it was deliver in a very fluid, informal yet informative way

Excellent and enthusiastic tutor

I think this course would be valuable to anyone who is or wants to be an advocate. People who have been advocating for a while may find it a bit basic bit it gets you tpo go back to the beginning and reflect on your experience.

The course was excellent. I would attend a course on paint drying if Kate Mercer was running it!

I thought Val was very warming and a wonderful tutor

Excellent throughout. Good to have tutors with front line experience

I especially valued Theresa’s experience

Advocacy

Advocacy is all about listening to a person and then supporting them to take control of decisions affecting them and to have their voice heard. Advocacy in its broadest sense can be undertaken by any person and is often a part of health and social care roles.

Social workers for instance need to advocate for the children and families they support by listening to their needs. Parents are also good example of advocates as they often need to ‘stick up’ for their children and promote their rights.

However there are differences between the type of generic informal advocacy undertaken by everybody and the type of specialist advocacy provided by an Independent Advocate.

Formal Independent Advocacy solely works from a person centred perspective to promote the views and choices of the advocacy partner. The person is always in control of the advocacy process, including terminating it. This means that an independent advocate promotes the choices and views of the individual but does not work from a best interest perspective.

If you are an Independent Advocate you may be interested in accessing Qualifications in Independent Advocacy which we deliver through City & Guilds. Please go to our dedicated section on Qualifications in Independent Advocacy for more information.

If you are a professional or carer who uses advocacy skills as part of a larger role, you may be interested in learning more about advocacy skills or the Independent Advocacy role. We deliver in house courses which help you to develop practical advocacy skills. Please go to our ‘Bespoke training’ section for more information.