Volunteer Opportunities

Welfare Guardian

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Overview: The Canterbury - West Coast Welfare Guardians Charitable Trust (CWCWGT) is a charitable trust established to recruit, approve and train volunteers to apply to be court-appointed Welfare Guardians for persons who have been assessed as being unable to make, or communicate decisions relating to their welfare. Common reasons that a Welfare Guardian (WG) is appointed are because the Subject Person has dementia or long-term brain damage. Approved volunteers are required when the subject person lacks any suitable local relatives or friends willing to apply to become their WG. The WG is appointed by the Family Court and works in consultation with as far as practical the Subject Person, relevant professionals or competent individuals involved in the care of that person. Welfare Guardians have no authority over the property or assets of the person they are appointed for, their powers are legally limited to care and welfare decisions. Once appointed by the Family Court, the WG is the only person legally able to make decisions about the day-to-day care and welfare of their Subject Person. These may include decisions about non-urgent medical treatments, accommodation and any day-to-day matters that the person would normally make for themselves but, who the Court have ruled, lack the capacity to do so. 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. They will train and support volunteers.

Requirements:

Criteria for becoming a Welfare Guardian: The applicant must be Aged 20 or older and capable of carrying out a welfare guardian’s duties, they must act in the Subject person's best interests, have no conflict of interest and provide a written consent to their appointment. Suggested aptitudes include: empathy, honesty competent verbal and written communication, computer literacy/access to email, own means of transport preferable, physically active, availability sometimes at short notice. Thereafter, a volunteer application form is to be submitted to cwcwgt@gmail.com including two referees. As part of the selection process there is an interview with member/s of the trust and a clear NZ Police check before approval. Approved Volunteers will undergo training to ensure the legislative and practical requirements of guardianship are fulfilled. Volunteers will be fully supported by the Trust members and ongoing refresher training will be provided. Training will be tailored to the needs of particular volunteers, depending on their past experience and will cover the essential legal and medical information needed to perform the task. Training will be held at a mutually accepted time and location. Trustee members will match volunteers with applicant’s requests for a WG. The extent of involvement will vary according to the needs of the Subject Person. It is likely that on first being appointed there may be a higher commitment (fulfilling the needs that were identified when asking for a Welfare Guardian).This is a 3 year appointment, that may have periods where no assistance is required by the Subject Person, however the commencement period is likely to be more intense in terms of a time commitment.

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:

A 3 year commitment - specific details to be confirmed with the organisation.

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.

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