Advocate Guardian

Utilise your community service expertise to provide support and advice to Office of the Public Advocate branch
- Fixed term for 12months, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 5 $103,920 - $114,828, plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit
The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) is an independent statutory office accountable to the Victorian Parliament which has been established to protect the rights of, and enhance the position of, people with disabilities in Victoria.
One of the principal functions of the Public Advocate, when appointed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), is to act as guardian of last resort for persons with disability when there is no other suitable person available.
Individual advocate guardians act under delegation from the Public Advocate. As substitute decision makers they are authorised to make decisions and undertake advocacy on behalf of the person under guardianship (the represented person). The scope of the role varies depending upon the authority provided by the VCAT order, but typically includes decisions in regard to where a person may live, what medical treatment they may receive and the services they may require.

About the Role
The Advocate Guardian role involves contact with the represented person, their family and support networks along with other professionals and service providers. The role can be challenging as it often involves situations of conflict or complexity.

**Some of your duties may include**:

- Under delegation from the Public Advocate, act as guardian for people with disabilities making complex decisions about lifestyle and medical treatment issues in situations which may involve significant conflict, consistent with the requirements and principles of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986, the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019 and the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016.
- Provide individual advocacy for people with disabilities who are at risk of, or who are experiencing, exploitation, abuse, or neglect.

About You
- Knowledge of the Victorian human services sector and detailed experience in one of the areas of disability, mental health, acquired brain injury or aged care.
- Experience with NDIS procedures and protocols is highly desirable.
- A sound understanding of contemporary issues relating to disability, including mental illness and age-related disability, is desirable along with an understanding of their implications for practice.

How to Apply

**FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES**:
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**:
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.
At interview stage and prior to commencement of employment with the department, you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 with three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

**Acceptable evidence includes**:

- COVID-19 digital certificate or ATAGI exemption certificate (available via your myGov account)
- Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.