Advocacy

The Italian-Australian Pensioners Association of Tasmania recognises the right of a client to have an advocate act on their behalf. These people may be family members, friends or an advocacy service. Advocates may be used during assessments, reviews, and complaints and for any other communication between a client and IAPAT centre.

Clients wishing to use an advocate should inform the Day Centre Coordinator in writing of the name of the person they wish to act on their behalf. The client has the right to change their advocate at any time but must inform the Coordinator in writing of that change.

Staff must ensure that clients are aware of their right to use an advocate and should regularly remind clients of that option. Staff will receive training in the use of advocates. Advocates also must be aware of their responsibilities and an information brochure has been prepared explaining those responsibilities. This brochure must be handed to all advocates who act for a client at the Centre.

An advocacy service works to achieve its mission by providing advocacy services to older people and people with disabilities. An advocate can help you (or a friend or relative of your choice) to put your views forward clearly and confidently to another party. An advocate can speak on your behalf if you wish.

The advocates employed by the organisations are professionals with strong working backgrounds in, and commitment to, advocacy within the disability and aged care sectors.

As a client of an Advocacy service will work to promote and protect your rights.

The most common situations where clients are assisted:

• Where someone has a complaint or concern about a community service they are receiving

• Where important decisions about a person's life are being made, such as aged care assessments, care planning for older people; and personal planning and case conferences

• Where someone's basic rights are being threatened or denied

GUIDELINES FOR ADVOCATES

If a client of the Italian Day Centre has asked you to act as an Advocate on their behalf, this means that they would like you act for them in their dealings with the Centre. You may be a family member, a trusted friend of the client or a member of an Advocacy Service.

Being an Advocate in the context of the Italian Day Centre may require you to attend assessments and reviews of the client’s situation, or to assist if the client wishes to discuss or negotiate with the Centre or lodge a complaint or grievance about the Centre or its staff.

We ask our clients to complete an “Authority to Act as an Advocate” form when they wish to appoint or change their Advocate. Clients are free to change their Advocates whenever they wish. We do, however request a new Authority form be completed each time so that staff and volunteers are always clear on whom the client’s Advocate is.

As an Advocate we ask you to be aware of the following and to ensure that:

• the client has given their written authority for you to act on their behalf

• the Centre is aware that you are acting as the client’s Advocate in a particular circumstance

• you always act in the best interests of the client;

• the client is aware of any issues and developments in relation to the services they receive and which you, as their Advocate, may be involved in;

• the client is kept informed of any developments;

• you are familiar with the contents of the “Client Handbook”;

• you encourage the client to provide feedback to you and to the Centre about the services they are receiving

• you advise the Centre about any changes in client circumstances and any concerns about changing client needs ; and

• you are prepared to relinquish your role as Advocate should the client so wish.

(Advocate Authority Form A02)