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Frequently Asked Questions

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is a service that defends:

  • rights

  • wellbeing

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The person that delivers advocacy is called an Advocate.

Advocates are independent.

Being independent means:

  • they only work to support you

  • they do not work to support other people

  • they do not work to support other organisations

Why might someone need advocacy?

If they are not being listened to.

If they are not receiving the support they should.

If they have poor wellbeing.

If their rights are not being respected.

What are some examples of advocacy?

Making choices about moving to a different service.

Communicating preferences to family members.

Getting control to make budget decisions.

Filing a report with the Police.

Is it value for money?

Most people think it is a fair price for the support they receive.

Paying for advocacy can save costs later on.

What would happen if there was no Advocate?

The person would rely on other people for advocacy support.

Other people may not be independent.

Other people may not have time to support.

Other people may not know how to support.

What if I can not afford advocacy?

The fee can be paid in many ways including:

People that can not afford advocacy can apply to PASAT to have advocacy for free.

Free advocacy is paid for by PASAT from the Rangatira Fund.

The Rangatira Fund is only for:

  • short term advocacy

  • people that cannot afford to pay for advocacy

What if we only need a little advocacy?

Advocacy can be as short as you need.

Advocacy can be as long as you need.

It is important to remember that building a relationship with the Advocate does take time.

Who is in charge of the Advocate?

Every Advocate has a PASAT:

  • Team Leader

  • General Manager.

PASAT also has a Board of Trustees.

The Advocate's work is directed by the person requiring support.

What training to Advocates have?

PASAT Advocates have a range of backgrounds.

We choose people to be Advocates that are:

  • patient

  • respectful

  • good at communicating

  • understand the disability sector

  • honest.

There is not an advocacy qualification 

PASAT Advocates might have a background in:

  • social work

  • nursing

  • special education

  • health

  • lived experience

  • something else

Are Advocates checked by the Police?

Yes - all PASAT Advocates are vetted by the Police.

To be vetted means that we check:

  • that they are safe

  • that they have not committed crimes in the past

Do support providers advocate for people?

Most support providers to a great job advocating for the people they support.

Sometimes providers do not have time to advocate for the people they support.

Sometimes providers are not able to be independent.

Do PASAT services change when Government changes?

No. PASAT is independent of Government.

How much advocacy will PASAT do?

We will meet regularly with the person.

We will do as much as we can within the funding available.

We will make sure other supporters do what they should be doing.

We will regularly review:

  • health

  • finances

  • accommodation

  • activities

  • relationships

Will PASAT provide accommodation?

We will help to connect people with accommodation providers.

We will support people to make decisions about their accommodation.

PASAT does not provide:

  • accommodation

  • day programmes

  • employment

Will PASAT manage a day-to-day budget?

PASAT does not manage:

  • bank accounts for day-to-day spending

  • budgets for people

  • property management

PASAT does manage Discretionary Trusts for people.

PASAT can review a budget for people.

What changes if the person gets married?

The Advocate can still provide support after someone gets married.

The type of support they need might change.

What contact will Parents have with PASAT?

Every year parents will receive either a:

  • A phone call

  • A visit.

Parents will also receive a newsletter.

Parents are invited to our Annual General Meeting every year.

Parents can contact PASAT at any time.

How does PASAT work with other family members?

We always work with other supporters to get the best outcomes.

We will maintain regular contact with other family members.

Can PASAT administer a Trust Fund for someone?

Can I pay for someone else to get advocacy?

Yes anyone can donate to the Rangatira Fund.

The Rangatira Fund makes advocacy free for people that cannot afford it.

Please contact us to learn more about donating to PASAT.

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