Advocacy skills, core competencies, and training opportunities: A scoping review

Advocates play an important role in supporting vulnerable individuals or groups who are marginalised in the society, including older people, to have their voices heard and uphold their rights. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the skills, core competencies, and training required to work effectively as a professional aged care advocate. The review identified a range of skills, competencies, professional development and training opportunities, and areas of knowledge required for effective advocacy. The findings revealed that no universally accepted set of competencies currently exists to guide advocacy practice, and there is limited training targeted specifically at advocates working with older people. This is particularly relevant considering the continuing growth of the world's ageing population. In addition, the review identified 37 advocacy competencies, which may provide a starting point for developing a set of competencies to inform the practices of professional advocates.