Young Peoples Advocate – QAI

Applications close 2 December

The role of the Advocate is to deliver individual advocacy support to Queensland young people (birth to 18 years) with disability. Under the supervision and direction of the Principal Advocate and other Senior QAI staff as required, the Advocate’s role will include providing advocacy, advice, information and referrals for clients of QAI and contributing to the systemic advocacy work and community education of QAI within the Disability Advocacy Practice.

The role is full-time or part-time until 30 June 2025 and falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award). The position will be paid at level 4 or 5, commensurate with experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing individual advocacy and support to young people with disability to:
  • understand their rights
  • access appropriate supports and services and address gaps in support
  • address discrimination, conflict and unfair treatment
  • make informed decisions
  • build capacity to self-advocate
  • ensure their fundamental needs are being met
  • understand and navigate processes and systems.
• Internal reporting and external reporting to the funding bodies as required
• Participation in the network for Queensland disability advocates
• Providing information and refer young people internally or to other agencies for support and assistance as required
• Build and maintain strong relationships with communities, leaders, and organisations to enhance outcomes for young people with disability.
• Identify issues requiring systemic reform in relation to the rights of people with disability.
• Contribute to the review, design and development of resources to assist young people to self-advocate.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity.
• Experience in providing quality individual and systemic advocacy to persons with disability with significant experience in the field of disability, human rights, or social justice sectors.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, specifically the ability to converse with people at grass roots, as well as those in positions of authority to affect change in the lives of young people with disability.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, implement and evaluate strategic pieces of work.
• Current Blue Card, Disability Worker Screening and Police Check or the ability to gain them.

Desirable:

• Lived experience of disability;
• Tertiary qualifications in disability or health related studies, social work, legal or education.
• Previous experience at a Community Legal Centre and/or with the Community Legal Assistance Services System (CLASS), would be advantageous; and
• Ability to travel to meet clients, including outreach.