Policy:

HHS acknowledges and respects that a client has the right to engage with an advocate who may provide them with assistance and support, at any time.  An advocate can assist to communicate a client’s wish by speaking on their behalf or assisting them to speak for themselves.

HHS is committed to ensuring that clients are aware of, and are able to engage with an advocate as the need may arise.  Information will be provided to clients at the time of a service assessment, re-assessment, at other intervals and opportunities and will be take account of cultural requirements, service complaints and other individual circumstances

Policy Guideline:

An advocate can help a client by providing them with information over the phone or by attending an appointment or a meeting, for the purpose of assisting the client in receiving the most appropriate service, or achieving a complaint outcome that is relevant to their individual needs and circumstances.

An advocate is not a mediator and does not take over or make decisions on a clients behalf but rather stand beside them to assist them and represent their interest.

An advocate can be anyone that a client nominates;

• a primary carer
• a family member
• a friend or neighbour
• another service provider

Scope:

Information about formal advocacy support can be obtained by contacting the following organisations:

ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)

ADACAS is an independent advocacy organisation for people with disabilities, older people and their carers.

Suite 207 Block C,

Canberra technology Park

Phillip Avenue

Watson ACT 2602

PO Box 144

Dickson ACT 2602

Telephone:   6242 5060

Fax:                6242 5063

TTY:                 6242 5065 (telephone typewriter)

Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website:        www.adacas.org.au/

Advocacy for Inclusion Inc

Advocacy for Inclusion provides individual and systemic advocacy for people who have a disability.

Rooms 17 & 18 Building

3 Pearce Community Centre

Collett Place

Pearce ACT 2607

PO Box 3653

Weston Creek ACT 2611

Telephone:   6286 4489

Fax:                6286 9424

Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website:        www.advocacyforinclusion.org/about.html

Public Advocate of the ACT

The Public Advocate of the ACT (PA ACT) has a range of functions and responsibilities in relation to people who have a condition that impairs their decision making ability and here are two teams within the PA ACT to assist in these areas:

The Guardianship Team is responsible for matters related to guardianship and substitute decision making.

The Individual and Systemic Advocacy Team is responsible for advocacy on behalf of adults, children and young people, outside the guardianship and substitute decision making arena.

Level 3, 12 Moore Street

Canberra City ACT 2601

PO Box 1001

Civic Square ACT 2600

Telephone:   6207 0707

Fax:                6207 0688

Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website:        www.publicadvocate.act.gov.au