Our Work

Safeguarding is a range of activities and responses that promote and protect human rights, health, wellbeing and culture, and prevent or reduce harm, abuse and neglect.

Advocacy

Advocacy is a service that argues for, or defends, another who is unable (or needs help) to do so for themselves. Our service is designed to work alongside the individual and to assist them, where needed, so they remain happy and healthy. The Personal Advocacy Trust is another set of eyes and ears, and importantly a voice for its members.

Regional advocates work to maintain the rights of the enrolled member so they continue to receive the best services available, while taking any necessary actions to ensure a positive outcome. Advocates encourage the potential for leading as independent a life as possible.

Our Advocacy work has two major components; Lifelong advocacy and Short term advocacy.

Life long advocacy involves the establishment of a trusting relationship between the member and the Regional Advocate, who will make regular contact, visit, report and engage in planning to monitor the wellbeing of the member. The type and intensity of advocacy required will vary between each member, and from year to year and depending on their needs or issues at the time. This relationship plays a preventative role in stopping the majority of issues before they arise. If an issue did occur, the Advocate would work with the member and their other supporters to find an appropriate resolution.

Short term advocacy support typically only focuses on issue or crisis resolution.

In order to be effective in promoting and protecting the interests of its members, PASAT is administratively and financially independent of any organisation providing residential, occupational or other services for people with intellectual disabilities. It is also independent of Government.

Our lifetime advocacy and membership scheme is funded almost entirely through the payment of a Pre Support Annual Subscription and a Full Support Enrolment Fee by people enrolling a family member or friend as a member of the Trust. Being independent of external controls or priorities, PASAT is able to provide effective advocacy.

Our short term advocacy is funded through the payment of a fee by the referrer. In situations of financial hardship, short term advocacy can be delivered at no cost, by applying for support under the Rangatira Fund.

Supported Decision Making

All of our team of Advocates practice supported decision making principles in their advocacy work.

We also provide Supporters for Decision Making as part of the Mana Whaikaha System Transformation in Mid-Central Region.

Safeguarding Adults Response Service

The Safeguarding Adults Response service is the coordination of an inter-agency response to referrals of harm, abuse or neglect for Adults at Risk. It adopts a person directed and whanau centred approach, ensuring that the individual remains in control of their decisions and wellbeing.