• Full time or part time (30.4 - 38 hours per week) position available

• Permanent position

• Join a dynamic and supportive team

• Excellent benefits and flexible work options 

• Gosford location, diverse role, additional holidays

Are you interested in more meaningful work and supporting people with disability who have been treated unfairly?

Then consider being a disability advocate and work side-by-side with people every day to help them know their rights, sort out issues of discrimination or unfair treatment, and to be fully included in the community.

 About the opportunity

DA provides advocacy for people with disability who have been discriminated against or been treated unfairly. Our multi-disciplinary team includes social workers, community workers, health professionals, disability workers, teachers and lawyers. We pride ourselves on being courageous, caring, creative and connected  in our work with people, offering a family friendly and inclusive workplace, where diversity is celebrated. 

We are seeking an experienced and passionate person to join our team based in Gosford.

 Benefits include:

• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS), Level 4.1 ($96,196.94 pa full-time package inc. superannuation) - 4.4 ($103,498.80 pa full-time package inc. superannuation) depending on qualifications and experience (pro-rata for part-time).

• Permanent position

• 4-5 day week negotiable

• Flexible working hours, with the option of working up to half the week at home

• Up to 6 weeks annual leave, plus 5 paid wellbeing days leave

• Job satisfaction in making a difference to people’s lives

• Attending Disability Advocacy’s annual conference and Advocacy Law Alliance’s bi-annual conference

• Full training and support if you are transitioning into advocacy for the first time

• Salary packaging options - tax free salary packaging options can increase ‘take home’ pay

• A supportive work environment in a values-driven organisation that is committed to continuous improvement

About the role

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 and other areas that impact on their lives.

You will do this applying a human rights and supported decision-making approach to advocacy, in a person-centred and trauma informed way.

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.  

Day to Day Duties

Direct work with clients; hold a caseload and meet in person, by phone or video depending on the communication needs of the client.

• Develop Advocacy Agreements with clients, identifying the advocacy issue, options and actions to progress the matter.

• Conduct research and interpret complex information, including policies and procedures.

• Use problem-solving skills to explore pathways and present options that support clients in making informed decisions in relation to their advocacy issue.

• Capture and record accurate information and case notes in a timely and professional manner.

• Provide non-legal support to clients to participate in formal dispute resolution settings (e.g. discrimination tribunals, NCAT, ART, Guardianship Tribunal etc.) or at meetings (e.g. at school, with other informal or formal supports etc).

• Work with the team to knowledge share and problem solve.

• Collaborate with clients to submit reports and other information to government departments (e.g. Centrelink, Housing, NDIA).

• Provide feedback about trending issues and topics clients are dealing with to inform the organisation’s systemic work.

• Help build client’s self-advocacy skills.

  In your application, you must address the following selection criteria with examples, where appropriate:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (examples only: social work, psychology, social science, law, legal studies, welfare studies, community services, teaching)

• Demonstrated experience and skills in direct work with clients supporting or driving change for people with disabilities or people experiencing disadvantage. Provide an example from a previous or current role.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legal and social systems and how they can unfairly impact the lives of people with disability. Provide an example from a previous or current role.

• Demonstrated advanced communication skills – experience adapting communication (oral and written), for different audiences and abilities. Provide an example from a previous or current role.

• Demonstrated excellent research and problem-solving skills, with a track record of effective application. Provide an example from a previous or current role.

• Exceptional time management skills, taking a systematic and structured approach to work and can respond to changing circumstances. Provide an example from a previous or current role.

Enquiries regarding the position can be directed to Nicole Recks (Regional Manager) via [email protected] using the subject line: Disability Advocate - Gosford enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us.