• Part time 22.5 hours per week
• Opportunity to make a difference in your local and surrounding communities
• Lismore based position, supporting Lismore Court, up to 30 June 2025
• Salary $92,625 (pro rata) plus 11% super + Not For Profit salary packaging benefits

The salary for the position is based on Level 5.1 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.

ABOUT US

Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) operates a disability advocacy service and community legal centre. IDRS aims to ‘make rights real’ for people with intellectual and other cognitive impairments through a variety of legal and advocacy services. We strive to demonstrate our values of justice, respect and persistence in all our work.

Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) is a free statewide service that supports people with cognitive impairment, as defendants, victims and witnesses to exercise their rights and participate in processes when in contact with the NSW criminal justice system. Support is provided 24/7 at Police stations, legal appointments and Court. JAS is a voluntary service.

ABOUT THE JAS DIVERSION SERVICE

The court-based diversion component of JAS operates at 6 Courts across NSW. We support people who are eligible for a diversion order under section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020. We screen and assess defendants, broker cognitive assessments, develop support plans, link participants with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and engage them with other support services relevant to their needs. Support and case co-ordination is provided to the client throughout their Court process. The court-based diversion service prepares a court report to support the lawyer to make an application for a Section 14 diversion order.

Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage people living with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Diversion Coordinators focus on the specific needs and rights of their clients and support them to engage with and understand legal processes to obtain justice and equality in their daily lives.

Diversion Coordinator responsibilities include:

• Identifying eligible defendants for diversion under section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 while at Court.
• Conduct preliminary screenings that will assess a defendant for cognitive impairment, along with engage with the defendant’s lawyer/s to understand the evidence needed to support diversion away from the criminal justice system.
• Collect relevant evidence that will support a diagnosis of cognitive impairment, support the defendant to access or re-engage the NDIS, along with engage with other support services in the community that will support diversion away from the criminal justice system.
• Providing a support plan, with supporting evidence, to the defendant’s lawyer that sets out the services the defendant is engaged with that will support diversion away from the criminal justice system.
• Providing support at Court and legal appointments, or co-ordinate and support one of our volunteers to provide support to the client.
• Build and maintain relevant external stakeholder relationships that support clients and service provision.
• Working collaboratively to contribute to and support a local, and remote team, to achieve JAS outcomes.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• A minimum two years’ experience working directly with people with cognitive impairment in case coordination or advocacy role.
• Sound knowledge and experience working with NDIS, disability, mental health and mainstream services.
• Demonstrated commitment to, and experience in, supporting clients with cognitive impairment to make informed decisions while negotiating about their service/support needs and choices.
• Commitment to ensuring a culturally supportive and safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users.
• Proven time management skills, including demonstrated ability to meet work deadlines and KPI's.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including report writing, and a demonstrated capacity to communicate complex ideas simply and effectively.
• Experience in working collaboratively with government, community service or criminal justice agencies.
• Demonstrated competence with Microsoft Suite software and client case management systems.

Desirable:

• Experience or working knowledge of the NSW the criminal justice system.
• Qualification in disability, human services and/or relevant management qualification

PLEASE NOTE

After hours and weekend on-call paid work will be a requirement of this role to support the efficient and quality delivery of the JAS after hours service to people with cognitive impairment in police custody.

EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

IDRS is very serious about its duty to provide clients with a safe and professional service and to providing all people working at IDRS with a safe and healthy working environment. Before you can commence employment a National Police Check will be conducted and a Working With Children Check must be provided.

CONTACT

For enquiries, please contact Brendan Gosling (Area Manager) via [email protected] using the subject line: Diversion Coordinator - Justice Advocacy Service enquiry via EthicalJobs or telephone during business hours 0427 772 098.

All applications are to be submitted via clicking "Apply Now".

SELECTION PROCESS

The Selection Criteria MUST be addressed in order for your application to be considered.

No late applications will be accepted. Shortly after the closing date, all applications will be assessed against the selection criteria. If your application is shortlisted, you will be contacted by phone or email to invite you to an interview.

A position description is attached.