Consumer Advisor Applications – A Youth Representative

Under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, Te Toihau Hauora, Hauātanga | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) is required to promote and protect the rights of consumers of health and disability services (as per the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights), help resolve problems between consumers and providers of health and disability services, and improve the quality of health care and disability services.

The Commissioner, Morag McDowell, invites applications from anyone between the ages of 18 to 25 with lived experience of a chronic health condition, mental health, disability or addictions and understands the challenges young people face accessing youth, health and/or disability services to become members of HDC’s Consumer Advisory Group (CAG).

CAG Membership
CAG consists of 13 members. Currently the group has representation from Iwi, pacific and other ethnic groups and lived experience of disability, older persons, mental health and addictions. We aim to ensure there is broad consumer representation on CAG. For instance the group is made up of members with different lived experiences, from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and live in different parts of the country.

We are currently seeking a youth representative with a chronic health condition, or lived experience of disability, mental health or addictions to join HDC’s Consumer Advisory Group for a two-year term. CAG does not include representation from professional bodies, service providers or funders.

CAG meetings are typically held twice a year either face to face in Wellington or remotely via zoom. Occasionally additional meetings are held outside of this schedule to support specific projects. A meeting fee is paid to CAG members. Travel costs and associated expenses are met by HDC, with support provided to members as required.

What does membership involve?
The role of CAG is to provide representative consumer advice to the Commissioner on strategic and operational health and disability issues. CAG members provide advice on the basis of their individual experience and as a result of the information they gather from their networks and engagement with their communities.

CAG acts as a “sounding board” for HDC. CAG provides a forum for HDC to canvas ideas with consumer stakeholders from across the health and disability sector, and to gain insight into issues of concern for consumers.

Ko ngā mea ka hiahiatia e koe kia angitū te haere | What you’ll need to be successful:

• Between the ages of 18 – 25 years old
• Lived experience with chronic health condition, disability, mental health or addictions
• Working knowledge of the health and disability sector and personal experience engaging with youth services as a consumer
• Ability to think at a strategic level
• The ability to think beyond a specific perspective or area of interest
• Involvement with Youth groups
• Good communication and “team work” skills.
• Commitment to help shape, support and implement the Commissioner’s goals, along with the time to participate actively in CAG
• If necessary, your Managers’ support to participate

Interested?

Any questions, contact Loa Alivale on 027 256 9684 or at [email protected].

To apply, please download the form below and send your application form and Cover letter to [email protected]

Applications close at 5pm Tuesday 21 February 2023