CHCADV002 Provide Advocacy and Representation Services
Scenario
You have a young 17 year old female client who has a mild learning disability, living with her parents. She wants to become more independent and move out of home into a share house, with some friends. She is unsure how to go about things and has an interview with the landlord of the house as well as Centrelink, to try to access benefits. Her parents are
supportive, but they too have mild learning disability. What is the legal status of her parents, as she is under 18? How will you advocate for and represent this client, while ensuring you encourage her self efficacy? What permissions do you need in order to advocate for the client? Outline the step by step process you will take, including who you might consult with, services you may engage and the client’s rights.
Case Study
Mary is 48 years old and her Mother June is 82, is living in an aged care facility. June is showing signs of the early stages of dementia and as a result, Mary has been given the “power of attorney” in all matters regarding her Mother. Recently, June has shown some aggression towards staff and there is a problem with her bed wetting and having incontinence during the day. As a result, the staff have decided to make June wear adult diapers, during the day and her aggression towards staff has escalated. When June becomes aggressive towards staff, she needs to be restrained for sometimes up to 30 minutes, so she does not hurt herself or others. Mary was notified in writing of these behaviour management strategies, however is outraged by the treatment of her Mother and wants someone to help her write a letter of complaint to the facility and her local MP. She says the treatment is contravening her Mothers’ human rights and is humiliating. She is insisting her Mother no longer wear the diapers and not be restrained when aggressive. She also wants help to build a legal case against the facility and wants an advocate to accompany her to see a lawyer.
Task:
What would you do in this situation, if asked by Mary to advocate on behalf of her and her Mother?
Who should you consult? Does Mary have a legal case against the aged care facility?
What are Junes’ human rights when in care? Have the staff in the facility acted in the best interests of June, the staff and other residents?
Outline how you will establish the need for advocacy and representation, represent Mary and June appropriately, negotiate an agreed outcome with the aged care facility and how you intend to evaluate your efforts. Help Mary to draft a letter to the aged care facility. Upload this along with your answers.
