The Otago Welfare Guardianship Trust was established to meet the needs of people who lack capacity to make or communicate decisions about their personal care and welfare, and do not have an enduring power of attorney in place.
Approved volunteers are needed when a person lacks any suitable or available family or friends willing to apply to become their Welfare Guardian.
The Trust Coordinator receives requests for volunteers from a range of people including doctors, lawyers and rest home managers; and family members who live outside the local area or are unable/unwilling to act as a Welfare Guardian themselves.
The Coordinator matches the needs of the subject person to a suitable volunteer and supports the volunteer to apply to the Court for an Order appointing them the Welfare Guardian. The extent of a Welfare Guardians involvement will vary according to the needs of the person you support.
As a Welfare Guardian, you will:
- Make decisions about the day-to-day care and welfare of the person under guardianship in matters the court has determined that they lack capacity to decide upon for themselves.
- Promote and protect the welfare and best interests of the person under guardianship
- Encourage the person under guardianship to develop and use whatever capacity they do have.
- Encourage the person under guardianship to act on their own behalf wherever possible.
- Help the person under guardianship to be, as much as possible, a part of the community.
- Consult with the person under guardianship, and with other people the Welfare Guardian thinks can give competent advice about the Subject Person's care and welfare, including any relevant voluntary welfare group.
- Consult with the property manager of the person under guardianship, if the Court has appointed one.
Training and Support:
- You will be provided with full training in the legislative and practical aspects of guardianship.
- Training is tailored depending on your needs and past experience.
- Full support of the trust members and ongoing refresher training.
- Ongoing meetings with the wider team of guardians and members of the board, where you can reach out for support and advice.
- You can also reach out to the Family Court for advice.
Benefits of volunteering as a Welfare Guardian:
- Knowing you are providing a vital service to a person under guardianship.
- Knowing you are making a significant difference to the welfare of a vulnerable person.
- Personal growth from tailored training and support.
Requirements
A Welfare Guardian will:
- Be 20 years of age or older
- Be empathetic, honest, compassionate and dedicated
- Be able to maintain confidentiality
- Show competency in verbal and written communication
- Have computer literacy and access to email
- Have their own means of transport (preferred)
- No previous criminal convictions and bankruptcy
- Provide 2 referees
- This role would suit someone with experience in guardianship, or with a background in health, aged care, nursing, social work, or similar fields. However, this is not a requirement. People with strong communication skills, empathy, and a desire to support others are encouraged to apply.
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- The Welfare Guardians time availability and preferences are taken into account matching volunteers with those requiring a Welfare Guardian.
- While commencement period is likely to require a higher time commitment, once this has passed, some Welfare Guardians only need to touch base with the Subject Person’s care-givers to make sure all is going well on a regular basis, while others meet regularly with their person to have a cup of tea and talk about their current situation and any decisions that may need to be taken.
- A 3 year appointment, that may have periods when no assistance is required.
The trust consists of a Board who bring various fields of expertise in social work, aged care representation, family court processes, and health and disability issues who will train and support volunteers in this role of Welfare Guardians.
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Enquire about this role: