Community visitors attend the premises of registered disability service providers and department-managed disability services where residential services are being provided.
After each visit, they report on the quality and standard of care provided to residents.
Community visitors are independent volunteers appointed by Governor-in-Council under the Disability Act 2006, and managed by the Office of the Public Advocate.
Each year, community visitors visit up to 5,000 people with a disability who live in a variety of residential premises. These are managed by the department and registered disability service providers across Victoria. Approximately 1,000 different places are visited each year including:
- Institutions
- Congregate care settings
- Shared supported accommodation.
Reports and publications
Community visitors annual reports
The community visitors program reports annually to government. The community visitors annual reports are available from the Office of the Public Advocate.
Community visitors protocol (October 2009)
The Office of the Public Advocate, National Disability Services (NDS) and the department have signed a revised tripartite protocol for the Community Visitors Program (disability).
The protocol was signed by the three parties in June 2013.
The protocol outlines the roles and responsibilities of community visitors and the responsibilities of government and non-government residential support staff in relation to community visitor visits. It is designed to foster good communication and relationships between all parties.
Any person who has a role in providing or monitoring residential services for people with a disability should familiarise themselves with the protocol. A copy of the protocol must be kept on file at all disability residential services.
Further information
The Community Visitors Program is administered by the Office of the Public Advocate. For more information, see the Community Visitors Program on the Office of the Public Advocate's website.