Advocacy and the learning disability nurse

Summary Advocacy is often seen as an ideal role for nurses to undertake, especially when working with people who have a learning disability. However, advocacy is not without its risks and dilemmas for learning disability nurses. The present paper attempts to examine why people with learning disabilities may be viewed as vulnerable and why advocacy may be an appropriate activity to undertake. It explores some of the different types of advocacy and the dilemmas which learning disability nurses may face. Finally, guidance is offered on the type of role that learning disability nurses may take when acting as advocates on behalf of people with a learning disability.