Independent Advocacy for People with Disabilities

RIGHTS IN ACTION INC. is seeking applications from suitable candidates who possess relevant professional experience, transferrable skills, demonstrated capabilities and/or lived experience of disability or mental illness to champion human rights within the UN Convention of Rights of People with Disability (UNCRPD) framework and QLD Human Rights Act 2019.

What we Do:

Accredited under the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS), RIA Advocates are agile, proactive and equipped to vigorously defend the rights of people with disability on advocacy matters, by:

• Being effective communicators who have a natural affinity for establishing rapport with people with disabilities, liaising with key external stakeholders including parents, guardians, and providers whilst influencing change ONLY for the benefit of the person with a disability
• Having the ability to establish facts, collate information and evidence; know who is involved, what has occurred and what needs to be done to resolve the client's advocacy issue
• Recognise and responsive in the safeguarding of children, young people or adults who are isolated, have limited natural or no supports available and are at imminent risk of harm, exploitation, abuse, neglect or discrimination
• Targeted research of relevant Acts, regulatory codes of practice, national standards and legislation and liaising with external stakeholders, parents/carers or substituted decision-makers (as applicable to the person)
• Implementing relevant, timely and concise advocacy strategies through co-design based on the client's wishes and goals ( issue-specific), which is then translated to the client's advocacy action plan
• Provide informative, factual, rights-based education sessions to enquirers or existing clients who can self-advocate with the right information and resources
• Proficient in identifying, addressing and aptly reporting all instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation, restrictive practices or harm to people with disability, chronic or episodic mental illness when reasonable suspicion has been attained or substantiated
• Formulate ideas, and strategically plan the practical advocacy supports requested by clients who present with complex or multiple issues
• Prioritising cases that deviate from the clinical case management model to a dynamic caseload management style that is strengths-based, collaborative, whilst promoting client empowerment and initiating self-advocacy education
• Work alongside and act as a support person for clients, their carers or guardians in the navigation of systems such as the NDIS, NDIS Appeals, QLD Civil and Administrative Tribunal proceedings, QLD Mental Health Act etc.

Selection Criteria (mandatory)

Essential

1. Demonstrated experience or the ability to rapidly acquire competencies and skill sets required for contemporary individual advocacy for people with disabilities, its principles, the supported-decision decision-making framework and principles.
2. Provide a high-quality, ethical caseload management approach used to handle sensitive, complex issues whilst remaining conducive to the articles of the Human Rights Act and principles of social justice.
3. Understanding of the social model of disability and the application of strategic interventions required to address and advocate for improved inclusion and access, eliminating discriminatory practices and breaches of human rights.
4. Demonstrated ability to analyse, plan and implement advocacy strategies with or on behalf of people with disability.
5. Accountable for own professional development, is self-motivated and uses a consultative approach within a small team to guide ethical decision-making.
6. Proven high-level communication (verbal & written) and problem-solving skills.
7. Demonstrated competencies in quality data collation within client management systems (databases), including Office 365, in the maintenance of internal records for reporting statistical and measurable performance benchmarks
8. A working knowledge of the relevant Acts and Legislation not limited to the Disability Services Act(s), the Disability Discrimination Act, the QLD Guardianship and Administration Act, the Right to Information, Privacy Legislation, the Mental Health Act and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act.
9. A current QLD C Class driver’s license
10. A valid Working with Children (Blue Card) and/or ability to attain a QLD Disability Worker Screening Yellow Card (Note: NDIS Worker Screening card holders are accepted; however, applicants must show evidence of a QLD Disability Worker Screening card application in process)

Desirable

1. Tertiary qualification in a related discipline or extensive vocational experience working in human services, engaging and working alongside people with disability or chronic mental illness.
2. Ability to work flexibly and possibly out of usual working hours
3. Certificate in First Aid & CPR

To apply for the position, please click 'Apply Now' to follow the application instructions. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Contact Angelika Williams, Assistant Manager on (07) 4031 7377 or [email protected], using the subject line: Independent Advocate - Townsville application via EthicalJobs, for an application package.