Community Visitor

Role overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is seeking a Community Visitor based in Cairns, Queensland. In this role, you will visit children, young people and adults under the framework of the Public Guardian Act 2014. Your work will focus on checking the quality and suitability of services delivered to vulnerable people, while also supporting advocacy, raising concerns and progressing complaints on their behalf.

About the workplace

OPG is an independent statutory office that exists to safeguard the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, as well as children and young people in the child protection system and other visitable settings. The organisation’s purpose is to protect, support, advocate, educate and empower Queensland’s most vulnerable community members so they can live with dignity.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out allocated visits and conduct thorough, evidence-based enquiries into the quality and adequacy of support services provided at visitable locations, in line with the Public Guardian Act 2014 and OPG policies and procedures.
• Check whether the people you visit have been properly informed about their rights.
• Spot issues affecting the individuals being visited by listening to their views, making observations, asking questions and reviewing relevant site records.
• Support people to address concerns, take part in decisions, and lodge or be referred for complaints where needed.
• Show practical knowledge of the legislation and regulatory settings that govern services for the people visited.
• Build trust quickly with people from varied backgrounds, while working with resilience and maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally, including preparing reports and using information technology effectively.
• Follow confidentiality, privacy and information-sharing requirements when accessing or disclosing information.
• Keep complete and accurate records in a timely manner to meet reporting, record-keeping and corporate governance obligations.
• Participate actively in training, team meetings, supervision and other professional development activities as required.

Qualifications and conditions

This position requires a current Queensland C class driver’s licence and access to a roadworthy motor vehicle registered in Queensland with compulsory third-party insurance. A Working with Children Check clearance (Blue Card) is mandatory; if you do not already hold one, OPG will provide guidance on how to apply. No formal qualification is needed, but a strong commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the most vulnerable members of the community is essential.

Additional information

Applications will remain current for 12 months.