Advocacy Services

Jason* approached our advocate during an outreach visit to the hospital. A young Aboriginal man in his 20s, Jason had never had access to his own identification documents and wanted our help. 

Jason presented with complex mental health issues, and the systemic neglect of his social supports including this issue of his identification documents had contributed to limiting his access to healthcare, study, employment, welfare assistance, and community participation generally. 

Tasc’s intervention 

Tasc’s advocate arranged for Jason to access limited community treatment leave, which enabled him to attend a Centrelink office to start the process. He was able to apply for a Low-Income Health Care Card, and with further assistance from our advocate and another support organisation, he then initiated a fast-tracked, subsidised Mob ID Connect process to gain access to his birth certificate. 

The processes were not without barriers, and Jason’s recent substance use had an impact on his ability to make progress with applications for other documents, but his commitment to his treatment plan and working with hospital social workers meant he was able to stay on track, and follow through to obtain all the documents he needed to successfully seek other support. 

Unfortunately, Jason’s case is not unique, in that a lack of proactive support by hospital staff, and a lack of urgency in attending to these issues is common for patients under involuntary orders. Systemic racism, socio-economic disadvantage, and other intersecting issues conflate to create risks for clients like Jason at the point of discharge, with no documented plan to account for this most basic need to have proof of identity, in order to be able to access appropriate community-based healthcare interventions, medication, and other social supports such as housing and welfare.

Outcome

Without our advocate’s assistance, Jason would have continued to face social exclusion, and financial difficulties due to an inability to access welfare, healthcare, and other government support services. This has a flow-on effect on housing, employment, and social participation.  

Jason’s case highlights that assumptions around the existence of basic identity documentation, or the need for it, for someone in the mental healthcare system can be dangerous. Advocates play a vital role in disrupting systemic, and intersectional neglect, and in amplifying consumer voices. 

George* is single, in his early 60s, and is socially isolated, having been estranged from his family. He was referred to Tasc for assistance initially in relation to a mismanaged NDIS plan which was discovered after George had an extended stay in hospital and was discharged into an unsafe and unsupported environment. George’s plan had no funding remaining for support hours to help him with his complex psychosocial and health needs. George’s support workers were operating without oversight and engaging in inappropriate use of his funding. There was no provider monitoring, and no service documentation. 

Tasc’s intervention 

Tasc’s advocate worked across hospital, community, and NDIS systems, addressing safety, advocating for a plan review, and supporting the client to build trust and make informed and safe decisions. This resulted in a complete overhaul of George’s supports, a substantial plan increase, reconnection with George’s family, and other services to assist in his recovery. 

Systemic neglect, including hospital discharges into an unsafe environment are not uncommon. The lack of monitoring, safeguards, and the barriers to being able to resolve these issues through the proper channels mean vulnerable people like George can experience unnecessary neglect and trauma. 

Outcome

Complex cases like George’s require persistent, sustained advocacy and cross-agency collaboration using trauma-informed practices. Oversight and safeguards in program management matter. Lack of documentation, poor coordination, and unchecked provider behaviour placed George at serious risk of harm. 

Tasc’s advocate ensured that George not only got the help he needed to get his plan on track, but that he understood his plan, his rights, and the need for professional boundaries to be in place. This type of advocacy can drive systemic change, not just help individuals like George. Removing non-compliant providers from the system helps all participants to access appropriate supports.