The report includes identification of important issues which cross the three Community Visitor Program streams: Disability Services, Residential Services, and, Mental Health.

Introduction

Community Visitors are independent volunteers who safeguard the interests of people with a disability. The findings have been drawn from 5079 visits by 443 volunteer Community Visitors across the state.

The Community Visitors Program is part of the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate. The program is organised into three streams to reflect the type of services visited:

• Residential Services: visits are made to people who reside in supported residential services (SRS) and require additional support
• Mental Health: visits are made to consumers and residents in mental health facilities providing 24-hour nursing care
• Disability Services: visits are conducted to institutions and community-based facilities for people with disability.