Protecting rights and making a difference to the lives of people with a mental illness
Open-ended recruitment pool
The Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) is established under Part 20 of the Mental Health Act 2014. It is an independent body providing support, advocacy and rights protection for identified persons, including involuntary mental health patients and psychiatric hostel residents. The Chief Mental Health Advocate (the Chief) engages Senior Mental Health Advocates (Senior Advocates) who supervise Mental Health Advocates, Youth Advocates and other specialist Advocates.
Mental Health Advocate Role
The MHAS teams of Mental Health Advocates have the specific responsibility of advocating for and protecting the rights of people who are made involuntary and/or admitted, referred for psychiatric examination, subject to Custody or Hospital Orders or living in a psychiatric hostel. The role includes individual and systemic advocacy, visiting people in locked mental health wards and emergency departments, representing them in Mental Health Tribunal hearings, writing reports and making presentations. Paid training is provided on commencement.
Mental Health Advocates report to a Senior Advocate based in the West Perth office but primarily work in the field. Working hours are not “9 to 5” and can be very flexible but there are some restrictions as Tribunal hearings may be scheduled at short notice.
MHAS has Advocates appointed in the Perth metropolitan area, Broome, Albany, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie. MHAS also has specialist Advocates such as Youth Advocates who are based in the metropolitan area. Contracts may be issued for a maximum of 3 years and can be extended.
How to Apply
This is an open-ended recruitment pool with applications closing on 30 November 2020. The panel will monitor and assess applications on a regular basis. Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made when similar vacancies occur (appointment may be made even after applications close).
Please review the attached documents for further information:
- Applicant Information Package, detailing how to apply.
- Job Description and Work Related Requirements, noting that requirements 1, 2 and 3 must be addressed in written applications.
- Terms and Conditions of Engagement of Mental Health Advocates, refer also to the Code of Conduct and Payments and Availability Protocol.
- Application form, which must be submitted with the application.
To be considered for interview, applicants must submit:
- a resume which summarises your relevant experience
- a brief statement addressing work related requirements 1, 2 and 3 (the requirements are found in the Job Description and Work Related Requirements document)
- a 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 Employee Services on 13 44 77 for assistance during business hours.
For additional job related information contact Donna Turner or Michelle D’Silva at mhas.recruitment@mhas.wa.gov.au or on (08) 6234 6300 for a confidential discussion.
To apply for this vacancy now, please click here.
Emailed applications will not be accepted. Applications that do not include the required three documents will not be considered.
Vacancy Ref: 921336