Office of the Public Guardian

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights, interests and wellbeing of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in the child protection system and those accommodated in disability services, Authorised Mental Health Services, residential health services and youth detention centres. The purpose of OPG is to advocate for our clients’ human rights. Please visit the OPG website.

• Permanent flexible full-time role in the Sunshine Coast
• 1 position available
• AO4 classification

The role of a Community Visitor is to visit and make inquiries into the standard and adequacy of services being provided to vulnerable persons in accordance with functions outlined in the Public Guardian Act 2014 and the policies and procedures of the Office of the Public Guardian.

For more detailed information about OPG, Community Visiting and Advocacy (CVA) and CVs, please refer to the Applicant Information Package and the OPG website.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct regular visits and make robust and probative inquiries into the standard and adequacy of services being provided to vulnerable persons (children, young people and adults) at visitable locations in accordance with functions outlined in the Public Guardian Act 2014 and the policies and procedures of the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Considering adequacy of information given to children, young people, and adults about their rights at a visitable location.
• Identifying issues of concern for vulnerable persons that are observed in the role of the CV and advocating for resolution to improve outcomes.
• Advocate for and support vulnerable persons to make complaints about services or service delivery.
• Gaining understanding of relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks which establish standards of service delivery to individuals at visitable locations.
• Interpersonal and communication skills including report writing and dispute resolution, and sound information technology literacy and skills.
• Sharing information with others in compliance with confidentiality, information exchange and privacy provisions.
• Maintaining accurate, timely records appropriately to ensure compliance with financial management, record keeping and reporting requirements and to meet corporate governance standards.
• Attend and actively participate in all relevant training, team meetings, supervision sessions, and professional development opportunities afforded by the Office of the Public Guardian.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS, CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants must possess a current C class driver’s licence. A kilometric allowance is paid for usage of a private motor vehicle for work related travel. It is a requirement of the position that Community Visitors have a roadworthy motor vehicle which is registered in the State of Queensland and has Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance.

Applicants being considered for engagement in this role will be required to provide consent to and undergo employment screening under the blue card system. Applicants must meet employment screening arrangements to be eligible for appointment. Possession of a Blue Card or positive exemption card at all times is a mandatory requirement for this role. As per the 2020 changes to the Blue Card Services legislation, this role is subject to the “No Card, No Start” requirement.

A position description and application package are attached.