VPRS 14619 General Subject and Case Management Files

This series general subject and case management files created and managed by the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA). Within this series, there are various categories of files created under a sequential numbering system. Guardianship and Administration Files These files document the OPA's guardianship function. Each file is commenced with a referral from VCAT to OPA to investigate an application for guardianship. The file contains OPA investigation records and the report to VCAT regarding OPA's view as to whether a guardian should be appointed or not. Copy of the order from VCAT was filed on the file. Until this point the records placed on the file were either generated by VCAT or OPA's copy of reports provided to VCAT. If a private guardian was appointed there is no further record relating to decisions made by the private guardian. The continuing guardianship of a privately appointed guardian is conducted by the individual. There was no requirement to provide reports to OPA. Case Records Case records document the administration of guardianship and other matters. Not all case records are appraised as being of ongoing value and are transferred as archives. Cases that are transferred as archives include case records of applications that established precedent, raised systemic issues, or involved contentious issues of medical consent as well as cases where the OPA was appointed as guardian. This case files record the State's decisions and actions on behalf of the individual. Systemic Files These are subject files that relate systemic issues and problems. Systemic advocacy emerged from issues and problems identified through the work of the Advocates, Guardians and Investigators. Systemic issues relate to the wellbeing and rights of classes or groups of people with disabilities and focus on policy, program or organisational deficiencies, or alternatively the need for a change in the policies and procedures of agencies interacting with people with disabilities. These files contain policy and other information of a systemic nature affecting OPA's operating environment. Records include investigations of the system such as voting rights for people in institutions, closure of an institution, or research into the appointment of a private guardian rather than a statutory guardian. Client Advocacy Files These files document how the OPA acted on behalf of clients at the VCAT hearings or elsewhere. Not all Client Advocacy records are appraised as being of ongoing value and are transferred as archives. Files that are transferred as archives include records of advocacy activities that establish precedent or raised systemic issues.