It is hard delivering an independent advocacy service. Every day forces new decisions: when do we speak for the client and when do we let the client speak for them self? what is in the client’s best interest? when do we reserve our counsel and when do we assert our independence? when do we offer options and when do we advise? There is a constant stream of close-call value judgments to be made and when so much hangs on each call it is essential that we get everything exactly right. But things can be very subjective depending on expectations and perspective and this makes for a challenging environment.
I sent out an agenda for the 8 October meeting of the Community Development Network – hopefully we can sustain this group as it could play a very important role in helping to shape community work in Watford.