IRASI is an advocacy service based in Ipswich delivering support to our vulnerable community members with concerns in mental health, and housing. 

About the role:  

As a Mental Health Advocate, you will provide Individual Advocacy – representing the rights and interests of individuals experiencing mental illness (severe, persistent or episodic) to address instances of discrimination, abuse and or neglect and improve their welfare. 

The position reports to the Service Manager, and has no direct reports.

The position is primarily supporting clients face to face working from our office in Booval, and is currently offered part time.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Support is delivered on either short term or issue specific basis. Our ideal candidate will:

• Work one on one with the individual experiencing a mental illness (or with  the client and their support person)
• Develop a plan of action (sometimes called an individual advocacy support plan) in partnership with the individual, to map out a defined action plan and a desired outcome.
• Educate the individual experiencing a mental illness about their rights.
• Aim to build capacity with the individual to advocate on their own behalf or speaking acting or writing on behalf of the individual.
• Work through the individual advocacy support plan in partnership with the client.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records/progress notes of activities undertaken.
• Where appropriate, refer service users to relevant services which may include housing support, employment and education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, independent living skills courses, clinical services and other mental health services as required.
• Attend and participate in team and professional development activities.
• Contribute to continual improvement of work procedures and develop goals/objectives and outcomes for your own work program or project in line with manager.
• Complete regular reporting in line with funding requirements. 
• Other duties relevant to the position as required. 

Skills & Experience

• Experience and skills in working with people experiencing mental illness.
• Demonstrated capacity to relate to participants and other stakeholders with dignity and respect.
• Ability to build and maintain effective professional networks for smooth referrrals and warm handovers as required
• Ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people.
• Knowledge of when to seek help or supervision, promoting ethical behaviour and anti-discriminatory practice that treats clients, family and staff with dignity and respect.
• Understanding of the principles of duty of care, rights to privacy and confidentiality
• Demonstrate effective listening, communication skills, empathy; and the capacity to relate with others with dignity and respect.
• Ability to help program participants link in with other relevant community resources and to promote the rights, responsibilities, and recovery of program participants.
• Commitment to professional development and willingness to participate in training as required.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a mutli-disciplinary team

Qualifications and registrations

• Diploma or Degree in relevant field (Human Services)
• Current Positive Notice Police Check or capacity to attain Positive Notice Police Check
• Current Working With Children Card-or capacity to attain prior to start
• Current QLD Positive Notice Disability Yellow Card-or capacity to attain
• Current or demonstrated capacity to obtain knowledge and understanding of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
• Proof of Covid vaccination status

In your application please include a current resume, and a 1-2 page cover letter addressing your capabilities against the position described above.

Remuneration at Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award – Level 3.1.