Purpose
Department of Communities (Communities) recognises that advocacy is undertaken by families and carers and by disability services in both the non-government and government sector. However, there is a need for a formalised advocacy response that: is independent from the provision of either funded or provided disability services provides people with disability with choice in meeting their advocacy needs. Therefore, the Funded Advocacy Program will consist of non-government organisations that provide advocacy and are not involved in the provision of other disability services.
Target Group
This policy framework applies to people with disability who are eligible for Department of Communities (Communities) funded and provided services at levels 2 and 3. Level 2 eligibility is based on assessed need and includes people with a disability that is manifest before the age of 60 years. Level 3 eligibility is based on an assessment of need for people with an intellectual disability or autism.
Individual Advocacy Services Guideline Outcomes
People with disability:
- are included, participate in and are accepted in all aspects of community life
- have access to services/supports that meet their needs and choices
- are supported to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives
- are not treated in a manner that is harmful, discriminatory or negligent
- are treated justly and fairly.
Individual Advocacy Services Guidline Outputs
Individual advocacy services focus on empowering and supporting people with disability to address their needs and/or choices in order to bring about positive changes in the quality of their everyday life. Individual advocacy can include:
- assistance to people with disability to enable them to act for themselves
- support for families, carers and members of the community to act with or for people with disability
- acting with and for people with disability
The Department of Communities recognises that advocacy is undertaken by families and carers and by disability services in both the non-government and government sector.
However, there is a need for a formalised advocacy response that:
- is independent from the provision of either funded or provided disability services
- provides people with disability with choice in meeting their advocacy needs.
Therefore, the Funded Advocacy Program will consist of non-government organisations that provide advocacy and are not involved in the provision of other disability services.
