Nepean Blue Mountains

• Join a growing, dynamic team
• Excellent benefits and flexible work options
• Valley Heights location, diverse role, additional holidays

Are you interested in more meaningful work and supporting people with a disability?

Are you sick of the endless commute to Sydney for the right type of role?

Then consider being an intake advocate and work side-by-side with people every day to support them through their journey of navigating legal and social systems to achieve fairer outcomes.

About the opportunity

Disability Advocacy NSW provides advocacy for people with a disability. Our multi-disciplinary team includes social workers, community workers, health professionals, disability workers, and lawyers. We pride ourselves on being trustworthy, honest, empathetic, and transparent in our work with people offering a family friendly and inclusive workplace, where diversity is celebrated.

Due to expansion of the Nepean Blue Mountains region, we are seeking experienced and passionate people to join our growing team based in our Valley Heights office. This is an exciting time with increased funding, growth and expanding services.

Benefits include:

• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS), Level 4.1 ($80,018.65 pa part-time package inc. annual leave loading and Superannuation) - 4.4 ($86,112.79 pa part-time package inc. annual leave loading and Superannuation) depending on qualifications and experience
• Flexible working hours, with the option of working up to half the week at home
• 4 days/week
• Up to 6 weeks annual leave
• Job satisfaction in making a difference to people’s lives
• Full training and support if you are transitioning into intake advocacy for the first time
• Salary packaging options - tax free salary packaging options can increase ‘take home’ pay
• Employment is offered for a fixed term contract until 30 June 2025 with options for renewal by us

About the role

We are looking for an excellent communicator who will be the first point of contact for all potential clients, their families and/or representatives. Providing a responsive and empathetic service, the role is responsible for an intake process that identifies the advocacy issue or provides information about a more appropriate service.

In this role you will work with people with disability to address issues of unfairness occurring across various social systems including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Education, Health, Centrelink, Housing, Discrimination, the Disability Royal Commission and other areas that impact on their lives.

You will collaborate with colleagues and network with other agencies while also being able to work independently. The successful candidate will be able to identify goals, problem solve and be tenacious in their work.

You will:

• Apply a human rights approach to advocacy
• Capture and record accurate information
• Develop networks with local organisations
• Provide individual short-term advocacy and advice
• Identify advocacy issues and options available
• Encourage self-advocacy where possible
• Research and interpret complex information
• Maintain professional, timely and accurate records
• Contribute to DANSW’s systemic advocacy work

The successful candidate will have (selection criteria):

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (examples only: law, legal studies, social work, psychology, social science, welfare studies, community services)
• Experience and skills relevant to advocating for people from disadvantaged backgrounds including people with disability
• Knowledge or understanding of legal and social systems that impact on lives of people with a disability
• Proven skills in the following areas: oral and written communication, research, problem solving and negotiation

Enquiries regarding the position can be directed to Wend MacTaggart via [email protected] using the subject line: Disability Advocate - Intake & Assessment enquiry via EthicalJobs.