• Are you an experienced senior leader who is passionate about social justice and rights protection?
• Are you looking for the rewarding opportunity of working to create change on individual and systemic levels in the mental health and criminal justice sectors?

About the Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS)

The Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) is established under Part 20 of the Mental Health Act 2014 (MHA). It is an independent body providing support, advocacy and rights protection for identified persons including people receiving or referred for involuntary treatment and residents in psychiatric hostels. The Chief Mental Health Advocate (the Chief) engages Senior Advocates who supervise Advocates, including Youth Advocates and other specialised Advocates.

Earlier this year legislative changes to the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 (CLMI Act) expanded MHAS’ services to include advocacy for identified people with mental impairment in the criminal justice system (where a court has raised a question of the person’s fitness to stand trial). MHAS can now assist people with mental impairment due to mental illness, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or dementia in prisons, detention centres, courts, tribunals and providers of mandatory services.

We are currently seeking a Deputy Chief Mental Health Advocate. This is a new position with a leadership role to support the expanded service delivery and our systemic advocacy on issues that impact identified people.

The position is based in Perth and has a statewide reach.

About the role

The Deputy will be engaged on a three year contract for services.

Mental Health Advocates help to amplify the voices of mental health consumers and people with mental impairment in the criminal justice system, so their views are heard, their preferences respected, and their rights upheld. Advocates negotiate relationships within and across services with skill, patience and persistence to ensure that people understand and can access their rights, and that procedural fairness is upheld. They work to enhance people’s experiences of services and to improve individual outcomes. In addition they investigate and inquire into systemic issues. Senior Advocates then work with the Deputy Advocate and Chief Advocate to address these.

The Deputy oversees advocacy service delivery and supervises the Senior Advocates. The Deputy also develops advocacy strategies to promote systemic improvement in mental health services and systems, and in the criminal justice system for people with mental impairment. As a member of MHAS executive team, the Deputy leads the development and implementation of initiatives to ensure best practice advocacy services across Western Australia.

To find out more about the role: Please contact Glenn Shoosmith (08) 6234 6300.

About the right candidate

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have senior executive experience.
• Have a genuine interest in advocating for people living with mental health issues and those with disability associated with cognitive impairment.
• Have a resilient and positive attitude and a focus on understanding and resolving organisational and systemic problems.

What you will also need

• Contemporary knowledge of, and/or experience dealing with mental health and/or cognitive disability issues and a strong commitment to human rights.
• Qualifications, training and/or experience in mental health, disability, human services or law.
• High level communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with people from all walks of life.
• High level advocacy, negotiation, and investigative skills in a range of situations.
• Excellent letter and report writing skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good computer skills.
• Commitment to working ethically with integrity, professionalism, and compassion.

Additionally, successful applicants will also require a National Police Clearance upon appointment.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements, including some time spent working from home.
• Training on commencement.
• Practice development opportunities.
• A vibrant team of like-minded people who are passionate about rights protection and treating all people with dignity and respect.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Contracts of Engagement of up to 3 years, with the possibility of further extension.

How to Apply

To be considered for interview, applicants must submit:

1. Resume which summarises your relevant experience.
2. Cover letter that addresses all service-related requirements (found in the Service Delivery Specification document). Maximum length of 3 pages.

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to attach your documentation.

If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact Health Support Services – IT department (Option 1) on 13 44 77 for assistance during business hours.

Please note that emailed and late applications will not be accepted, and applications that do not include the required two documents will not be considered.

MHAS is committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. People with different experiences, skills and backgrounds including people with lived experience or disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For further information, please refer to the following:

• Service Delivery Specification, noting that the service-related requirements must be addressed in your cover letter.
• Terms and Conditions of Engagement – Deputy Chief Mental Health Advocate.

A position description is attached.