Members 

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APEA comprises of the following organisations:

  • The Legal Services Commission of South Australia

  • The Office of the Public Advocate

  • South Australia Police, Home Assist Program

  • Public Trustee

  • Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS)

 

The Legal Services Commission of South Australia - The Commission is an Independent Statutory Authority jointly funded by both the South Australian and Commonwealth Governments. It was established in 1977 to increase access to legal services for those people who cannot afford to pay for private legal representation. This mandate is spelt out in the Legal Services Commission Act 1977, which gives the Commission broad powers and responsibilities to work towards equality before the law for all South Australians. The Commission provides legal services through;

 

  • means-tested grants of legal aid

  • free legal information and advice services

  • free minor assistance services to the disadvantaged

  • community legal education

  • Law Handbook online. Free online resource explaining the law in plain English and linking to legislation and legal resources.

 

For information telephone the Legal Help Line 1300 366 424 Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm.

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The Office of the Public Advocate - The Office of the Public Advocate was set up to promote and protect the rights of people with mental incapacity in South Australia. The Office of the Public Advocate has three main client groups:

 

  • People with mental incapacity

  • Family carers and friends of people with mental incapacity

  • People and organisations with an interest in issues arising from mental incapacity.

 

The Office of the Public Advocate has several main legislative responsibilities:

 

  • Guardian of last resort

  • Investigation

  • Education, Advocacy

 

South Australia Police, Home Assist Program - The SAPOL Home Assist program is funded through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program that is funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments.

 

The aim of the program is to improve home security and personal safety of HACC eligible service users to allow them to remain safely in their homes and provide a better quality of life.

 

This program is only available for people who are HACC eligible. To meet the criteria  you must be:

 

  • 65 years or over, or

  • Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people (50 years and over), or

  • Of any age and living with a disability, or

  • Carers of people who meet these criteria.

 

SAPOL provides:

 

  • Free Security Audits: A police officer will come and visit you and conduct a free security audit of your home.  You will be provided with a written document highlighting safety and security issues that could be improved. The police officer will provide you with the contact details for the Home Assist representative within the local council. You may receive assistance to implement police suggestions.

  • Free Group Presentations: Police will deliver free educative presentations to groups of 15 people or more. The presentation topics include: Home and Personal Safety including home security and safety tips.

  • Safety for Residents in an Aged Care Facility: Providing security and safety advice for residents in aged care facilities.

  • Safety in the Client’s Home: Aimed at carers and volunteers providing home assist services services to clients in their home.

 

For information and to make a booking for a free Security Audit or a Group Presentation, please contact the SAPOL Home Assist Coordinator on 7322 3211.

 

Public Trustee - South Australians traditionally associate Public Trustee as a ‘maker of Wills’ and a provider of trustee and executor services. Public Trustee has expanded its services to include personal estate planning services, investment services, taxation, real estate management, public education and preparation of Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Guardianship documents.

 

The Public Trustee also provides services to regional South Australia through regular visits ensuring access to their services is made available to people living in regional areas.

 

Public Trustee is a Government Business Enterprise with a focus on continuously improving the service they offer to the South Australian community.

 

Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) - offers a free, confidential and state-wide service to older people, or their representatives, who are: 

  • living in residential aged care

  • receiving Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) services

  • at risk of, or experiencing abuse from family or friends

  • living in a retirement village.

 

ARAS provides:

  • Information about rights, entitlements and responsibilities

  • Individual advocacy support

  • Education sessions for service providers, consumers, community groups

  • Policy advice

 

ARAS' key service areas

  • Retirement Village 

  • Residential Care 

  • Community Care

  • Abuse Prevention 

  • Aboriginal Advocacy

© 2019 by Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. 
 

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