About ADACAS

ADACAS (ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service) is a leading advocacy service with a 30-year history in Canberra and more recently providing services to South Coast NSW. ADACAS provides individual and systemic advocacy to people with disability, older people and their family carers.

About the Role

The role of Advocate is responsible for providing individual advocacy, amplifying the voice of individuals to undertake their expressed wish, and without judgement. Clients may include people with disability, people experiencing mental ill-health, older people and informal carers. ADACAS works within a human-rights framework. Advocates are required to use professional judgement and initiative in response to dealing with moderate to complex advocacy issues whilst maintaining accountability within the organisations framework.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support and/or represent ADACAS clients, applying a best practice approach in individual advocacy.
• Ensure that all activities are recorded accurately in the CMS.
• Escalate any issues or concerns with the Team Leader in a prompt and timely manner.
• Help identify key trends, including potential and actual systemic advocacy issues.
• Represent ADACAS at events as delegated and at designated agency network meetings.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the team and seek to improve the quality of service through an ethos of continuous improvement via reflective practice, training and education provided internally and externally.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with community partners, service providers, Government agencies and other stakeholders as required and take part in meetings with representatives.

Classification within level 4 or 5 of the SCHADS Award will be negotiated with the successful applicant depending on qualifications and experience.

About you

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• A strong commitment to work within a human-rights framework and take a restorative practice approach
• Experience working with and or advocating for people with a disability, older people, people with mental ill health, CALD community and Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply legislation, policies and procedures, including the ability to identify issues and problem solve.
• An understanding of or experience with Government legislation, processes and services in relation to aged care, disability and mental health.
• Experience working in the community service sector or similar.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Great team player, can demonstrate initiative and be self-motivated.
• Ability to cope with complex cases and apply stress management techniques.
• High-level organisation skills and time management.
• Ability to write factual accounts of discussions / interactions with clients and other stakeholders.
• Sound knowledge and application of the MS Office suite of applications.

The successful applicant will hold, or be able to obtain, a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration, current National Criminal Record Check and a current driver’s licence.

What’s on Offer

• A rewarding opportunity that can make a difference within your local community
• Ongoing training and learning opportunities
• Great place to work and a supportive team
• Free car parking

• Generous Salary Packaging Benefits - $15,900 tax free

ADACAS also recognises the importance of diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect.

Visit www.adacas.org.au to learn more about ADACAS.

A position description is attached.

ADACAS reserves the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is found.