Ruah aims to promote measures to achieve equality. Section 51 of the Equal opportunity Act applies to this role.

Our mission is open hearts and bold strides.

About the Role

Ruah Legal Services is the culmination of the merger between the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) and Ruah Community Services joining forces to pioneer a new approach, a wrap-around service for the most vulnerable people in our community that not only offers legal advice and representation but also provides non-legal support.

This unique role provides an opportunity to work in a leading specialist Community Legal Centre which provides a state-wide legal service. Ruah Legal Services provides advice and legal representation to individuals experiencing chronic mental health illness, in the areas of care and protection, family and domestic violence, involuntary treatment orders, guardianship and administration, restraining orders and criminal matters.

The Key Worker collaborates with lawyers in integrated service delivery. The role involves case work in care and protection, within the RLS practice. The role requires an experienced Key Worker with a passion for client case management.

This is a full-time position. The position is funded to 30 June 2024.

About Ruah Legal Services

Welcome to Ruah where everyone is welcome, and everyone belongs. We are a Community Legal Centre and while you think you might know the community legal sector; we do things differently around here! Ruah Legal Service is the result of an innovative and WA-first merger of a community services organisation (Ruah Community Services) and a community legal centre (Mental Health Law Centre). This merger has allowed us to take bold strides into a new way of delivering legal services to clients.

While many Community Legal Centres focus on providing discrete legal advice services and information, Ruah Legal Services focuses and specialises in the provision of end-to-end legal representation with integrated psycho-social support. What does that mean? It means we help clients from the beginning to the end, in and out of Court, with advocacy and representation and until whatever the end might be. It might be a trial, or a sentencing, but whatever it is, we are there alongside the clients.

Ruah Legal Services’ key practice areas include Care and Protection and Family and Domestic Violence (FDV). Additionally, we continue to trade as the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) for the provision of legal services to clients subject to involuntary treatment orders under the Mental Health Act 2014. As well as representation before the Mental Health Tribunal, MHLC provides representation for criminal law matters and matters under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990.

What we offer is a cutting-edge workplace that focuses on using technology to maintain a work-life balance. We believe in working flexibly, and our sophisticated, cloud-based practice management systems enables our staff to do so. At any given hour of the workday, our staff might be working from home, in the office, in a quiet corner of a café or at the local park. This flexibility allows our staff to maintain their own wellbeing and the stress of a sometimes-challenging client group. We focus on client need and on business need, and so long as both are being met, you can manage your own flexibility.

What do we offer?

• An opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team.
• Level 4 of the SCHADS $77,826 - $82,754 pro rata depending on experience.
• 16 weeks paid parental leave, with flex to take at 32 weeks half-pay (uniquely, new staff can access 4 weeks paid parental leave after just 6 months’ service).
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave.
• Salary packaging up to $15,900.
• Annual leave loading of 17.5% (for award-based staff).
• Flexible working hours and office locations
• An extensive learning and development program.
• Opportunities to be active in the Ruah Community such as participating in a wide range of working groups, joining us at Pride events, being a part of a range of cultural events to promote and support reconciliation and much much more!

Requirements

Essential

It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Relevant qualifications in a related discipline.
• Experience in evidenced based case management practices.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Skills in reflective practice and highly developed report writing using analytical reasoning.
• Knowledge and understanding of diversity, gender and social inclusion, particularly Aboriginal culture.
• Support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) clients, family members and significant others by listening to and understanding their experience of mental health issues, being sensitive to cultural norms and use of in interpreting services as required.
• Advanced computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office and client reporting systems.
• Ability to engage and maintain professional relationships with clients and their wider natural supports.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex issues facing people who experience challenging and co-presenting life circumstances such as homelessness, AOD use, family/domestic violence and mental health issues.
• Willingness and ability to work within and contribute to the vision, mission, core values and the guiding principles of the organisation.

Desirable

• Experience working in a Community Legal Centre

Addressing the Selection Criteria:

You must clearly detail how you meet each selection criteria by addressing them separately. If you do not address the selection criteria, it is unlikely you will be considered for the position.

For each of the selection criteria, make a separate heading and then detail your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and ensure you emphasise your major achievements by giving examples. Also include any non-working or volunteer activities, such as involvement in a community organisation.

It is your responsibility to convince the selection committee you are the best candidate for the position. You should ensure the information you provide is adequate for the selection committee to assess the strength of your application.

A position description is attached.