Employment Opportunities

Mental Health Advocate 

 

Organisational Attributes

Vision

To educate empower and support persons to uphold their human rights.

Purpose

To provide access to an equitable quality service that empowers individuals through relevant information, advice, and appropriate referral.

Values

•          Compassion

•          Respect

•          Flexibility

•          Teamwork

•          Integrity

•          Social Justice

•          Responsibility

•          Continuous Quality Improvement

 

About the role:  

As an Individual Metal Health Advocate, you will provide Individual advocacy which includes services that seek to represent the rights and interests of the individual experiencing a severe mental illness [persistent or episodic], to address instances of discrimination, abuse and or neglect to improve their welfare. The service is available on either short term or issue specific basis. Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] - Level 4.1

Duties & Responsibilities:

The service is available on either short term or issue specific basis individual advocates will:

Work with the individual experiencing a mental illness requiring 1 to one advocacy support.

Develop a plan of action sometimes called an individual advocacy support plan in partnership with the individual experiencing a mental illness that maps out a defined advocacy plan including a desired outcome.

Educate the individual experiencing a mental illness about their rights.

Build the capacity in the individual to advocate on their own behalf or speaking acting or writing on behalf of the individual.

Work through the individual advocacy support plan in partnership with the individual experiencing a mental health illness.

Maintain accurate and up to date records/progress notes of activities undertaken with service users.

Where appropriate, refer service users to relevant services which may include housing support, employment and education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, independent living skills courses, clinical services and other mental health services as required.

Attend and participate in team and professional development activities.

Establish work procedures and goals/objectives and outcomes for your own work program or, project.

Complete reporting to the Service Coordinator, in line with funding requirements.

Other duties relevant to the position of Individual mental health advocacy support, as required.

Report directly to the Service Coordinator.

Skills & Experience

Experience and skills in working with people experiencing mental illness.

Demonstrated capacity to relate to participants and other stakeholders with dignity and respect.

Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people.

Knowledge of when to seek help or supervision, promoting ethical behaviour and anti-discriminatory practice that treats clients, family and staff with dignity and respect.

Understanding of the principles of duty of care, rights to privacy and confidentiality

Demonstrate effective listening, communication skills, empathy; and the capacity to relate with others with dignity and respect.

Ability to help program participants link in with other relevant community resources and to promote the rights, responsibilities, and recovery of program participants.

Commitment to professional development and willingness to participate in training as required.

Ability to work within a team and autonomously.

Please send all applications including cover letter addressing position description, including current resume to:Karly@irasi.com.au by COB 28th July 2023.