All Access Arts policies relate to all Staff as well as Members.Access Arts Inc. defines a Member as any person who has filled out a membership form to join the organisation.
Staff are defined as persons engaged in Office, workshop/project or program, Volunteer or Student placement work at Access Arts Inc.
Definition:
An advocate is an informed person who speaks on behalf of another.
Purpose:
To provide all Members and Staff with the opportunity to elect an advocate in order to promote and support them in their choice and decision-making.
Aims:
- To empower all Staff and Members in their choice and decision-making.
- To ensure that all Staff and Members are able to access a suitable advocate.
- To provide assistance to Staff or Members in finding an advocate if required.
- To assist Staff or Members to find an advocate in a way that does not affect their autonomy.
Policy:
- An advocate can be a family member, friend, partner, carer or a person appointed in partnership with Access Arts.
- The person who requires an advocate to be appointed needs to be involved in the selection of the advocate to ensure he/she maintains active participation in the process.
- Access Arts Inc. Members and Staff are entitled to have their own advocates present at any meeting involving Access Arts Inc.
- All Members and Staff are entitled to an advocate when making a complaint under Access Arts Inc. policies and procedures (e.g. Grievance, Sexual Harassment Policies etc).
- • To ensure independence and to avoid conflict of interest, Access Arts Inc. employees are not able to act as advocates for Members, an independent advocate must be appointed.
- It is the responsibility of the Executive Officer or his/her delegate to ensure that advocates are made aware of all Access Arts Inc. policies and procedures, and that they understand and comply with these policies.
Advocacy Procedure
- Members and Staff of Access Arts Inc. may bring an advocate to attend any meeting of Access Arts Inc.
- Members and Staff who require Access Arts Inc. to appoint an advocate shall inform the Executive Officer or his/her delegate.
- The Executive Officer or his/her delegate will nominate two suitable advocates to the Member who will then make the final choice.
- The Executive Officer or his/her delegate will ensure that the advocate is given all the relevant information and understands and complies with the policies of Access Arts Inc.
- The advocate must then sign a declaration which states that they are acting only in the interests of the person they are advocating for.
Complies with Queensland Disability Service Standards: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
Update Responsibility: Emma Bennison
Date of last update: 27/05/2008