CRVCID.
666964
About the Mental Health
Advocacy Service (MHAS)
MHAS is an independent
service providing advocacy, support, and rights protection
for people
receiving, or at risk of receiving, involuntary treatment under the
Mental Health Act 2014 (the Act),
people living in psychiatric hostels and some other people
identified under
the Act.
About the
role
MHAS is seeking to recruit a
number of General Mental Health Advocates to fill
immediate
vacancies in the Perth metropolitan area, Broome and
Kalgoorlie.
We are also seeking to
recruit a Youth Mental Health Advocate to fill an immediate
vacancy in the
Perth metropolitan area.
Comprehensive training for
all roles is to be held in West Perth commencing in July
2025.
Mental Health Advocates
assist people who are identified under the Act. Advocates
help to amplify
their voices, so their views and preferences are not only heard
but respected. Advocates
negotiate relationships within and across services with
skill, patience, and persistence to
ensure people understand and can access their rights
under the Act.
They work to enhance peoples’ experience of treatment, care,
and support, and improve
recovery outcomes.
Mental Health Advocates
visit hospitals, mental health clinics and/or psychiatric
hostels. Service
delivery hours can be very flexible; there will be times when
you may
need to be available at short notice.
This is a contract for
service role with negotiable service delivery volume. It is
preferred that
applicants have availability to work at least 3 days per
week.
Suitable applicants will be
placed in a pool from which appointments may be made when similar
vacancies occur. Appointments may be made from this pool until
27/07/2026.
To find out more
about the role: Please contact Fiona Tolley-Risch on 08
6234 6300.
About the right
candidate
We would love to hear from
you if you:
- Are passionate about
social justice and human rights.
- Have a genuine interest
in advocating for people living with mental health
issues.
- Enjoy working in a range
of dynamic and fast paced environments.
- Have a resilient and
positive attitude.
- Have an ability to work
within a legal framework and adhere to MHAS protocols and
policies.
- Enjoy working both
independently and as part of a team.
- Have the skills to
engage with children and young people and navigate
complex
family relationships and social situations (Youth
Advocate).
What you will also
need
- Knowledge of,
qualifications, training, and/or experience dealing with
mental health issues and
contemporary concepts and a strong commitment to human
rights.
- High level communication
and interpersonal skills, including the ability to
engage with
people from all walks of life.
- High level advocacy,
negotiation, and investigative skills in a range of
situations.
- Good letter and report
writing skills.
- Good organisational and
time management skills.
- Good computer
skills.
- Strong commitment to
working ethically with integrity, professionalism, and
commitment.
- Qualifications, training
and/or experience relevant to children and young
people and
mental health (Youth Advocate)
Additionally, successful
applicants will also require:
- A National Police
Clearance upon appointment.
- A Working with Children
Check upon appointment if requested.
What We
Offer
- Flexible working
arrangements including some time spent working from
home.
- Training on
commencement.
- Practice development
opportunities.
- Employee Assistance
Program.
- Contracts of Engagement
of up to 3 years, with the possibility of further
extension.
- A vibrant team of
like-minded people who are passionate about rights
protection
and treating all people with dignity and respect.
- The incredibly rewarding
opportunity of being able to create positive change
on an
individual and systemic level in the mental health
sector.
How to
Apply
To be considered for
interview, applicants must submit:
1. Resume which summarises
your relevant experience.
2. Cover letter
that clearly identifies the role applied for, and that addresses
all service-related requirements
(found in the relevant Service Delivery Specification document).
Maximum length of 4 pages.
3. Completed
Application Form.
These documents should be
complete and ready to attach prior to applying online.
Please ensure
you allow sufficient time to complete the online application
process as you will be required to
attach your documentation.
If you experience
difficulties while applying online, please contact Health
Support Services – IT
department (Option 1) on 13 44 77 for assistance during business
hours.
Applications close at 4pm on
Monday 28 April 2025.
Please note that emailed and
late applications will not be accepted.
Applications that do not
include all relevant documentation may not be
considered.
MHAS is committed to
building a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. People
with different experiences,
skills and backgrounds including people with lived
experience or disability, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ and people from
all cultural and
linguistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
For further information,
please refer to the following:
- Applicant Information
Package, detailing how to apply.
- Service Delivery
Specification, noting that the service-related
requirements must be addressed in
your cover letter.
- Terms and Conditions of
Engagement of Mental Health Advocates.
- Application Form, which
must be submitted with the application.
