Introduction

An advocate is an individual who actively supports and speaks up for the interests of another person or specific cause.

Hireup respects your right to appoint and involve an advocate in any conversations or matters relating to your support needs. As part of our complaints process, Hireup will provide you with information on how to access and appoint an advocate.

If you have appointed an advocate and wish for Hireup to speak with your advocate about any matter, you will need to provide us with your consent to do so. Once we have received your consent, we will work with you and/or your advocate in the way you have requested.

Role of an Advocate

An advocate can be involved in assisting an individual in different ways including:

Accessing Information: Reviewing relevant information held by Hireup related to the individual to help you make informed decisions (this will require your explicit written consent);
Upholding Rights: Ensuring that your rights are being upheld;
Representation at Meetings: Attending and participating in meetings or discussions, that may impact the delivery of services
Complaint Support: Assisting you with making a complaint and ensuring your concerns are addressed appropriately.

What happens if someone requests an Advocate

Informed Choice: We will provide you with timely information on how to find and appoint an advocate so you can make an informed decision
Recording of Advocate: Once appointed by you, we will record your advocate’s details on your file to ensure our team knows who they are and how to include them.
Advocate Authority: We will document the specific role you want your advocate to play and exactly what information you have consented for us to share with them.

Privacy

In accordance with our Privacy obligations, Hireup will not share any client information with an advocate unless we have received your express consent to do so. Unless otherwise requested, all communication will be sent to the client it relates to. An advocate should not share your personal information with Hireup or anyone else unless you give them permission to do so.