Decision-Making Representative Panel
Our client is a public-facing service established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (as amended) (the 2015 Act). The Director of the organisation and the Director’s staff are staff of the Mental Health Commission (MHC), with separate functions conferred by the 2015 Act. The 2015 Act repeals the wards of court system, replacing it with a graduated framework of decision supports. All adult wards are to be reviewed by the wardship court and discharged from wardship. The 2015 Act also provides tools for all persons who wish to plan ahead for a time when they might not be able to make their own decisions.
Our client is seeking applications from suitably qualified individuals to join the panel of decision-making representatives.
The Panel will operate nationally, divided into eight (8) geographical areas aligned to the Circuit Court areas, detailed below. A panel member must be available to travel in the course of carrying out their function as a decision-making representative.
- 1 - Dublin,
- 2 - Cork
- 3 - Kildare, Meath, Louth, Wicklow
- 4 - Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath
- 5 - Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan
- 6 - Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford
- 7 - Clare, Kerry, Limerick
- 8 - Galway, Mayo
Role Purpose
A decision-making representative is a person appointed by the court to make specific decision(s) on behalf of a person (‘relevant person’) in relation to their personal welfare or property and affairs or both.
When a person does not have a suitable person who can act as their decision-making representative, the court may ask our client to nominate two or more panel members from the Panel to be appointed as decision-making representative. The court may appoint from the nominees put forward, one or more than one panel member to be decision-making representative for the relevant person.
Following appointment to the Panel, a panel member will be required to provide a resume of their skills, expertise and experience in a prescribed form. Our client provides this resume to the court for consideration for the appointment of a decision-making representative. Our client will contact the panel member before submitting this information to the court, to confirm the panel member’s availability for that specific case and ensure no conflicts of interest exist.
- Appointment to the Panel does not create any automatic entitlement to be nominated by our client for court appointment as decision-making representative.
- A panel member is under not obligation to accept to be nominated by our client for court appointment as decision-making representative.
- Where selected by the court, it is a court appointment pursuant to a court order, subject to any condition or requirements set out in the court order.
Eligibility Requirements
Mandatory
Applicants for the Panel must have the following:
1. A qualification to at least level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (or equivalent), which is to the satisfaction of our client appropriately aligned to the statutory role and functions of a decision-making representative and the range of property and affairs and/or personal welfare decisions that may be included in a decision-making representation order.
AND
2. Must be registered in Ireland with a professional regulatory body required by law. Proof of same shall be required prior to appointment to the Panel.
AND
3. Applicants must hold professional indemnity insurance to cover acting as a decision-making representative. Proof of same shall be required prior to appointment to the Panel.
AND
4. Possess and demonstrate the competencies set out in the candidate information booklet.
Desirable
- Relevant professional experience working with people who have decision-making capacity difficulties.
- Knowledge of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 or similar legislation.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must complete the application form available on the website.
Only applications fully submitted via the online application portal will be accepted into the campaign.
Closing Date
Applications will not be accepted after the closing deadline - 12 pm 14th October 2024.
