sa.gov.au Community Visitor Scheme Australia : Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Name of the Organization : Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Type of Facility : Community Visitor Scheme
State : South Australia
Country : Australia

Website : https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/citizens-and-your-rights/feedback-and-complaints/community-visitor-scheme
Application Guideline : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/25843-CVSform.pdf

Community Visitor Scheme :

The Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) is an independent statutory scheme that visits and inspects :
** acute mental health facilities
** emergency departments of hospitals

Related  : Government of South Australia Apply for School Card : www.statusin.org/24494.html

** disability accommodation
** supported residential facilities (SRFs).

** The scheme is there to protect the rights of people experiencing an acute mental illness, and those with disability who live in a disability accommodation facility or a supported residential facility (SRF).
** The CVS have the same powers as a health inspector and can advocate to help resolve issues and improve service responses.

Disability Community Visitor Scheme :
** The Disability Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) exists to protect the rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities who live in disability accommodation or in Supported Residential Facilities (SRFs).

Mental Health Community Visitor Scheme :
** The Mental Health Community Visitor Scheme exists to provide further protection to the rights of people with a mental illness who are admitted to treatment centres in South Australia.

Role of community visitors :
Community visitors :
** perform regular (and on request) visits and inspections of approved mental health treatment centres, disability accommodation and supported residential facilities (SRFs)
** promote the proper resolution of complaints and advocate for the rights of individuals
** refer issues of concern to relevant people or agencies, including the Minister for Mental Health, the Minister for Disability, or the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner.

How to become a community visitor :
Community visitors are trained volunteers who work in pairs to :
** inspect all areas of facilities they visit
** engage with as many clients as possible to hear about their experiences as a resident
** make inquiries into client care and treatment.
** Community visitors must communicate any issues to staff at the facility to try and resolve these matters.
** They also provide a written report on their visit to the Principal Community Visitor.

Reports cover whether clients :
** are treated with dignity and respect
** receive services responsive and appropriate to their needs
** receive information
** are provided with opportunity to discuss their care.

Who can apply :
** Applicants must be over 18 years of age and willing to undergo necessary DCSI screening, such as disability and child related screening.
** Access to a computer and a mobile phone is required to successfully carry out the duties of this position.

** This role is not suitable for people who are working full-time.
** Applicants from regional SA are encouraged to apply.
** Reasonable ‘out of pocket’ expenses are reimbursed by the scheme.

How to apply :
1. Complete and submit the application form
** Complete and submit the application form, along with a current curriculum vitae and at least three referees contact details.

2. Attend interview :
** Attend an interview if short-listed.

3. Attend workshop :
** Participate in a two-day workshop and at least two orientation visits. Workshops are held four times a year in February, May, August and November.

4. Referee and screening checks :
** Referees will be contacted and vulnerable person and child-related screening checks will be undertaken.

Principal Community Visitor :
Community visitors report to the Principal Community Visitor, Maurice Corcoran AM, who :
** oversees and coordinates the performance of community visitors
** reports to the relevant Ministers regarding the performance of community visitors’ functions.
** Any issues or complaints about the scheme should be directed to the Principal Community Visitor in the first instance.

Contact :
Community Visitor Scheme
Phone – 1800 606 302 (available from mobile phones and within SA)
Email – cvs AT sa.gov.au