Job description

• Opportunity to make a difference in your local and surrounding communities
• 4 x Sydney contract positions up to 30 June 2025
• Contract positions 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday), some flexibility around hours may be possible
• 1 x Sydney CBD office location – servicing Downing Centre Local Court
• 3 x Blacktown office location – servicing Parramatta, Blacktown and Penrith Local Courts
• Salary range $84,854.12 - $88,693.80 (pro-rata) plus 10% super + Not For Profit salary packaging benefits

The salary for the position is based on Level 5 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.

ABOUT THE JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICE (JAS)

JAS is a free service that supports young people & adults with cognitive impairment to exercise their rights when in contact with the NSW criminal justice system. With the generous support of our Volunteers, JAS works with people with cognitive impairment arising from intellectual disability, borderline intellectual function, acquired brain injury, alcohol and drug-related brain injury (including foetal alcohol spectrum disorder), autism spectrum disorder, or dementia.

ABOUT THE JAS DIVERSION SERVICE

The court-based diversion component of the JAS will 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. The court-based diversion service will also prepare a court report to support the lawyer to make an application for a diversion order under section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020.

ABOUT IDRS

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.

Visit our website www.idrs.org.au for more information about IDRS.

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 Coordinator responsibilities may 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.

Diversion Coordinators may also assist to collect relevant evidence that will support a diagnosis of cognitive impairment, support the defendant to access the NDIS, along with engage with other support services in the community that will support diversion away from the criminal justice system. The Diversion Coordinator will provide a report, with supporting evidence, to the defendant’s lawyer/s that sets out the services the defendant is engaged with that will support diversion away from the criminal justice system.

Diversion Coordinators may also deliver support to people with cognitive impairment when a volunteer is unavailable, or where a client’s needs require a more intensive level of support due to the nature of the offence(s) and/or the complexity of the client’s situation.

Diversion Coordinators focus on the specific needs and rights of their clients and support clients to assert their rights, challenge decisions and actions which restrict their opportunities and to obtain justice and equality in their daily lives.

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.

We aim to be a child safe organisation. For this reason, before you can commence employment a National Police Check will be conducted and a Working With Children Check must be provided.

SELECTION CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

1. A minimum two years’ experience working directly with people with cognitive impairment in casework or advocacy role
2. Demonstrated commitment to, and experience in, supporting clients with cognitive impairment to make informed decisions while negotiating about their service/support needs and choices
3. Sound knowledge and experience working with NDIS, disability, mental health and mainstream services
4. Commitment to ensuring a culturally supportive and safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users
5. Proven time management skills, including demonstrated ability to meet work deadlines
6. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including report writing experience and a demonstrated capacity to communicate complex ideas simply and effectively
7. Experience in working collaboratively with criminal justice or government agencies
8. Experience working in and/or knowledge of the NSW the criminal justice system

DESIRABLE:

• Qualification in disability, human services and/or relevant management qualification

PLEASE NOTE:

• A National Police Check will be conducted for recommended applicants. A Working with Children's check is also required
• After hours and week end on-call work may be required to support the efficient and quality delivery of the JAS after hours service to people with cognitive impairment in police custody

CONTACT

For enquiries, please contact Kelly Watson (Regional Manager) via email [email protected], using the subject line: Diversion Coordinator - Justice Advocacy Service enquiry via EthicalJobs, or telephone during business hours Monday to Friday on 0447 180 141.

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. Interviews will be conducted Wednesday 18 May – Friday 20 May. Selected candidates must be available to interview during this period.

If you do not hear from us within a week from the closing date, unfortunately it is unlikely you have proceeded to the interview stage. You are welcome to apply for future roles.

A position description is attached.