Community Visitors visit Victorian accommodation facilities for people with disability or mental illness in their local area. They monitor and report on the adequacy of the services provided and, where possible, communicate with residents or patients to ensure they are being treated with dignity and respect.

Community Visitors are Victorian Governor in Council appointees, are appointed for a three-year term, and have significant powers of entry and inspection.

They visit unannounced and write a brief report at the conclusion of the visit detailing who they have spoken to, what documents they have looked at, any issues of concern, as well as good practice they have observed. Responsibilities

The responsibilities of Community Visitor volunteers include:

• spending 8-10 hours per month visiting facilities
• enquiring into the quality of services and care provided to residents or patients
• observing and, where possible communicating with residents or patients and staff, to identify problems
• ensuring that the treatment and service given to residents or patients maintains their dignity and respect
• assessing the opportunities available to residents or patients to participate in recreational and educational activities
• assessing whether living environments put patients or residents at risk
• following up on complaints and concerns raised by residents or patients
• liaising with staff and management to resolve identified issues
• referring broader or more serious issues to OPA.