The Southland Welfare Guardianship Trust is a charitable trust 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 the subject person lacks any suitable or available family or friends willing to apply to become their Welfare Guardian. 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.
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 Subject Person.
Trust Coordinator says "It’s a special role because you are trusted for making decisions around anything related to Personal Care and Welfare for someone that is quite vulnerable and ultimately for their betterment.”
As a Welfare Guardian, you will:
- Make decisions about the day-to-day care and welfare of the Subject Person in matters the court has determined that they lack capacity to decide upon for themselves.
- Promote and protect the Subject Person's welfare and best interests.
- Encourage the Subject Person to develop and use whatever capacity they do have.
- Encourage the Subject Person to act on their own behalf wherever possible.
- Help the Subject Person to be, as much as possible, a part of the community.
- Consult with the Subject Person, 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 Subject Person's property manager, 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 the Subject Person.
- Knowing you are making a significant difference to the welfare of a vulnerable person.
- Personal growth from tailored training and support.
Volunteer, Stacey, says that she is happiest when she is able to discuss and support her client through big decisions. Through her support, her client has been able to successfully stay in her own home with all the support she needs to have a good quality of life.
Requirements
- 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)
- Provide 2 referees
- Undergo a police check (volunteers need to disclose previous criminal convictions and bankruptcy)
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- The Welfare Guardians time availability and preferences are taken into account when the Trust's Coordinator is 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.
- Please be aware this is a 3 year appointment, that may have periods when no assistance is required for the Subject Person.
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:
