Fixed Term Contract of Employment

It is hereby agreed that contract of employment shall be entered into between

Disability Rights Advocacy ServiceIncorporated

______
(who shall be referred to hereinafter as the EMPLOYER)

and

______

(who shall be referred to hereinafter as the EMPLOYEE).

1. DRAS MISSION STATEMENT

Disability Rights Advocacy ServiceIncorporated (DRAS) is part of the national network of Disability Advocacy Services funded by the Australian government. DRAS provides individual and systemic advocacy for people with disabilities, their families and their carers.

DRAS operates in the South East region under the trading name ‘South East Disability Advocacy Service’. DRAS operates in the Riverland region under the trading name ‘Riverland Advocacy Service’.

2. INDUSTRIAL COVERAGE

DRAS employees are covered by the National Employment Standards and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award (SCHCDS) 2010.

3. JOB TITLE

The Employee shall be employed as an: Advocate.

4. BROAD POSITION OBJECTIVES

The Employee will provide high quality advocacy, NDIS appeals and related services to and on behalf of people with disabilities, their families and carers living in a designated area in South Australia.

Theemployee's designated service area will be determined and may be changedfrom time to time by DRAS’Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The Employee will:

  • Establish DRAS as a well-known organisation in the local community.
  • Promote the rights, needs and abilities of people with disabilities, their families and carers.
  • Provide individual advocacy, NDIS appeal supports and other associated activities.
  • Achieve set targets and objectives of their position’s Performance Plan.
  • Provide service coverage to other regions as required, and
  • Undertake other duties as directed.

5. GENERAL DUTIES

The general duties of the position are detailed in the Job Description attached hereto and cover the following:

  • Service Promotion
  • Disability Rights Awareness
  • Individual Advocacy
  • NDIS Review and Appeals
  • Constituency Participation and Service Improvement
  • Other Duties

The employee acknowledges and agrees that the focus, scope, interpretation and priorities of these duties will be determined by the CEO, at their discretion.

6. LEVEL OF APPOINTMENT & CLASSIFICATION

This position is covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010 (SCHCADS) and is classified as:

Social and Community Services Employee Level 3Pay Point 4, Step 3 - $28.03 per hour.

7. TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Fixed Term Contract to 29thDecember2017.

8. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • Employment commencement date: To be negotiated
  • Hours of employment per week:26.6 hours
  • Normal days and hours to be worked per fortnight: To be negotiated
  • Other considerations:

- Annual leave is to be taken within contract term.

- Probationary Period three (3) months after commencement date.

9. SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Appointment and tenure is subject to adherence to DRAS’ Code of Conduct.
  • Appointment and tenure is subject to satisfactory DCSI venerable persons screening.
  • Appointment and tenure is subject to employee holding a current S.A. Drivers Licence Class C and use of own road worthy car as required. Reimbursement will be provided at the SCHCADS Award rate.
  • May be required to use own mobile phone. An allowance is provided at a rate set by the CEO.
  • Undertake out-of-hours work as required. Extra time compensated by time-in-lieu.
  • Undertake intra-state travel and over-night stay as required.
  • Have a current First Aid Certificate or will obtain this within the first 3 months of appointment.
  • Voluntary salary packaging may be available.

10. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS & EXTENT OF AUTHORITY

This positionwill be responsible to the CEO and will work under the general supervision of a Senior Advocate.

Implement established service policies and procedures. Assistance is available when required.

In accordance with the terms and conditions set within this agreement we the undersigned hereby acknowledge meeting all responsibilities, duties and requirements of this employer/employee contract.

This employment contract is subject to funding for this specific position or for the organisation, in part or as a whole, from DRAS’primary funding body - the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Signature______Signature______

Name ______Name______

Date: / /Date: / /

On behalf of the EmployerEmployee

Address: Shop 4/ 80 Henley Beach Road Address:

Mile End S.A. 5031

Telephone:

JOB DESCRIPTION

Advocate

Based at a DRAS’ office premise the Advocate will largely be required to drive by car throughout their designated region to deliver (part or all) of the individual advocacy and associated services provided by the position. This could include (but is not limited to) home visits, attending the premises of service providers or undertaking community based networking and promotional activities.

SERVICE PROMOTION

Develop and implement effective strategies that increase general awareness of DRAS and its disability advocacy services.

Foster collaborative arrangements with other agencies that result in client referrals and advocacy outcomes.

Represent DRAS and the rights and interests of its constituency through public presentations or by participating in meetings, committees and forums.

DISABILITY RIGHTS AWARENESS

Develop and implement strategies to:

  • Inform people with disabilities, their families and carers about their rights and responsibilities.
  • Inform the public, community groups, service providers and policy and lawmakers about the rights, needs and abilities of people with disabilities, their families and carers.
  • Promote a positive image and the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities.

INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY

  • Providehigh quality individual advocacy assistance in accordance to DRAS’ Advocacy Provision policies and procedures.
  • Provide information or ensure information is available to potential clients and other stakeholders about DRAS, its individual advocacy program eligibility criteria and its service user policies.
  • Provide basic information to clients in relation to their rights and responsibilities concerning a particular issue or complaint.
  • Provide basic information to clients on other organisations relevant to their particular issues or complaint (e.g. Legal Aid, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Ombudsman, Appeals Tribunals) and assist them to access these agencies.
  • Provide people with disabilities, their families and carers with basic information on relevant services that may meet their non-advocacy needs and make referral to such agencies.
  • Provide appropriate and timely individual advocacy to people with disabilities that addresses instances of abuse, assault and neglect.Report incidences to the relevant authority.
  • Provide individual advocacy to ensure that the rights (human, civil, legal rights) of the person with disabilities are safeguarded and that their fundamental (social, economic, accommodation and support) needs are met.
  • Provide individual representation to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to and receive equitable treatment from private, public and community institutions as afforded to other members of the community.
  • Support people to self-advocate and be active participants in their resolution of their individual advocacy case, to the extent practical and appropriate.
  • Support people with disabilities wishing to participate in consultation, quality assurance and decision-making processes that are likely to have an impact on their life.
  • Represent clients to ensure the services they receive are individually tailored, respectful and responsive to their disability, cultural or linguistic needs, including their need to receive information in accessible and relevant formats.
  • Support and represent clients (and their best interest) through formal processes (eg Residential Tenancy Tribunal, Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Equal Opportunity conciliation meetings and SACAT hearings).
  • Document systemic advocacy issues which negatively impact clientsof DRAS' Individual Advocacy Program. Report issues to DRAS’CEO or their delegate, and
  • Undertake other reasonable tasks related to DRAS' NDAP program.

NDIS REVIEWS & APPEALS

As directed:

  • assist applicants to navigate the process of AAT review of decisions – this could include attending AAT conferences and hearings with applicants & fostering self-advocacy for applicants to put their own cases before the AAT;
  • where self-advocacy is not appropriate, provide individual advocacy support, developing and implementing an individual plan in partnership with the applicant;
  • assist a person to navigate the NDIA internal review process. However, priority must be given to people who have applied, or are in the process of applying, to the AAT;
  • assist applicants to apply for funding (including completing a referral to the central assessment provider (CAP)) where legal issues are highlighted and an application has been made to the AAT (for complex or novel legal cases);
  • hold information sessions for individuals, referral to other services;
  • provide education and skills development, such as self-advocacy support for individuals and self-advocacy group sessions;
  • help with community capacity building for example, NDIS Appeals education presentations or NDIS Appeals stalls at expos and events;
  • assist family capacity building, including information sessions for people with disability, their carers and families, and
  • Undertake other reasonable tasks related to DRAS' NDIA Appeals program.

CONSTITUENCY PARTICIPATION & SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

Coordinate and support members of DRAS’ constituency to effectively participate in the organisation’s decision making and quality improvement processes.

OTHER DUTIES

  • Comply with DRAS’policies and procedures.
  • Identify and pursue strategies and collaborative arrangements that will improve DRAS' operational efficiencies, ability to deliver advocacy and enhance the organisation's strategic position. Bring these to the attention of DRAS’ CEO.
  • Undertake general administrative tasks, promotional initiatives and specific projects as directed.
  • Develop and/ or maintain information records and systems concerning DRAS advocacy activities. Ensure their confidential and secure storage.
  • Prepare activity and performance plans and reports as required.
  • Identify issues that require internal policy development and bring these to the attention of DRAS’CEO.
  • Participate in processes aimed at assuring and continuously improving the quality of advocacy work practices.
  • Participate in staff management meetings and undertake activities for effective organisational communication and operation as directed.
  • Participate in staff appraisals and enhance knowledge and skills by undertaking staff development related to work duties.
  • Use bilingual / bicultural skills [if available] in support and promotion of all DRAS’activities as required.
  • Participate in activities with other staff as directed.
  • Write or critique reports and other documents as requested.
  • Take reasonable care for own health, safety and welfare and for the health, safety and welfare of anyone else who may be affected by acts or omissions at the workplace.
  • Undertake any other duties as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Advocate

ESSENTIAL

  • Qualifications or undertaking current studies in a relevant area e.g. legal, social sciences, community development, disability or mental health.
  • Representation and negotiation skills.
  • Informed, highly resourcefuland self-confident.
  • Ability to instigate and maintain constructive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
  • Capacity to work independently as well as part of a team.
  • Decision-making indicating sound judgement.
  • Results-focused. Capacity to plan, manage time, adjust priorities and over come obstacles in order to achieve goals or targets.
  • Ability to coordinate, manageand address public meetings.
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Sound computer skills.

DESIRABLE

  • Familiarity with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.
  • Awareness of policies, programs and agencies of significance to people with disabilities.
  • First Aid Certificate
  • Child Safe Environment (Mandatory Notification)training.

EMPLOYER (initial)………..… EMPLOYEE (initial)……….....

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