Training

The Office of the Public Advocate conducts professional training sessions for service providers working with vulnerable adults across Western Australia. These comprehensive sessions are aimed at professionals from health, disability, financial and legal sectors.

Topics covered include the principles and workings of the guardianship and administration system, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Enduring Powers of Guardianship, protecting vulnerable adults and the hierarchy for treatment decisions. In some cases, where travel is not possible, information sessions are provided to regional and remote areas by video conference.

Training dates are advertised on the website as they become available. Registration forms for current sessions can be downloaded from below.

The Office runs five main streams of training.

Protecting vulnerable adults

Presented by experienced guardians and investigators, these sessions provide an introduction to the guardianship and administration system. They discuss how the system operates to protect the rights and interests of adults with decision-making disabilities. The roles of the Public Advocate and the State Administrative Tribunal are explained and participants learn to identify when and how they can be involved in protecting the rights of their clients.

Aboriginal service providers

The Office works with other agencies to offer workshops for healthcare workers, legal practitioners and aged-care personnel who work with Aboriginal adults with decision-making disabilities. The workshops and training sessions are held in metropolitan, regional and remote areas. They explore how the guardianship and administration system can benefit vulnerable Aboriginal adults.

Enduring Power of Guardianship information sessions

These forums are designed for a range of professionals from the allied-health, aged care, disability and other related sectors, who have a specific interest in the legal, practical and technical aspects of Enduring Powers of Guardianship (EPG). These sessions also touch on Advance Health Directives (AHDs), however the Department of Health is responsible for training health professionals on AHDs.

Community member sessions, aimed at explaining how future decision-making can be directed are being conducted for targeted audiences. These sessions include detailed information on how to complete an EPG form.

Enduring Power of Attorney information sessions

These information sessions are designed for a range of health and financial professionals who have a specific interest in the legal, practical and technical aspects of Enduring Powers of Attorney. Occasionally public sessions are also held.

Private administrator training

Run in partnership with the Public Trustee, these seminars are designed for private administrators appointed by the State Administrative Tribunal to manage the financial affairs of adults with decision-making disabilities. Private administrators are informed of their duties and responsibilities in managing a represented person's estate and legal affairs.

Law Week 2013 session - Preparing for the future

In celebration of Law Week 2013, we invite you to attend the Office of the Public Advocate's free education session about how you can put plans in place to secure your own future.

Do you want to make your views about your finances, lifestyle, accommodation and health care know to trusted family or friends? If you become injured or unwell and are unable to make decisions for yourself, do you know who would make them for you?

Come along to this presentation and learn about the Enduring Power of Attorney and the Enduring Power of Guardianship - the tools available for you to choose who will make decisions for you in the future if you lose the capacity to do so yourself.

Topic: Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Guardianship
Date: Tuesday 14 May, 2013
Time: 10am to 12pm
Venue: The Law Society of WA, Level 5 Seminar Room, 160 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Cost: Free, but bookings essential
Registration: Call The Law Society reception on 9324 8600 or email lawweek@lawsocietywa.asn.au to reserve your place now.

Light refreshments and copies of the relevant publications and forms will be provided.

Last Updated: 9-May-2013