Requesting a visit

The Community Visitor Scheme provides advocacy and assistance to clients, their carers and family members as they work to resolve issues relating to care and service provision.

The Scheme is for people living with disability or mental illness who are:

• receiving care in a mental health treatment centre or hospital
• attending a community mental health facility
• living in state-run disability accommodation
• living with a disability and in South Australia and have 'Opted-in' for visits.

Disability Opt-in Visits

Clients, carers, family members and service providers can request a visit by Community Visitors. If requesting a visit on behalf of someone else, please ensure they are aware the person is aware of this request.

A CVS visit involves two Community Visitors meeting with a person living with a disability in their home to discuss the supports and services that they receive, and any barriers they are experiencing. The visits are designed as wellbeing checks in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Community Visitors will prepare a report after the visit for the Principal Community Visitor.The Principal Community Visitor can report serious matters of concern to the Minister for Human Services.

If you would like to request a visit for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, please contact the CVS office via phone or email for assistance;

Phone 1800 606 302 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm weekdays)
Email cvs@sa.gov.au

Other Safeguarding Bodies

Please note, if you or anyone else is at risk of harm or in danger, please contact emergency services on 000 for assistance.

• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is responsible for ensuring safety and quality of services delivered under the NDIS. Phone 1800 035 544.
• The Adult Safeguarding Unit supports the community with information, guidance and resources to help safeguard adults, including responding to reports of suspected or actual abuse. Phone 1800 372 310 or email adultsafeguardingunit@sa.gov.au.
• The Aged Rights Advocacy Service helps consumers of aged care services and their carers to address service-related issues or abuse of older people. Phone 8232 5377 or email aras@agedrights.asn.au.
• The Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of SA provides information about concerns with disability services. Phone 8234 5699 or 1800 088 325. It also provides support to individuals, families, carers and communities. Phone 8297 3500 or National Relay Service 1800 555 630.
• The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist safeguards the rights of individuals, seeks to improve service delivery and guides the administration of the Mental Health Act 2009. Phone 8226 1091.
• The Office of the Public Advocate protects the rights and interests of people with reduced mental capacity and their carers. Phone 8342 8200 or 1800 066 969.

If you are unsatisfied with your outcome

If, after all reasonable steps have been taken, you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you can contact the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner. Phone 8226 8666 or 1800 232 007.

If your complaint relates to discrimination, contact the Equal Opportunity Commission on 8207 1977.

State Ministers responsible for Disability and Mental Health

• Minister for Human Services, the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP
• Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon Blair Boyer MP