This is a unique blended role for a person who enjoys working collaboratively across the community to increase access to justice through direct support, networks, partnerships and volunteers.

The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) supports access to justice for people with cognitive impairment, and the Co-operative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program improves legal and social outcomes for people who experience social or economic disadvantage.

26 hours per week - some flexibility can be negotiated with days and hours.

Hourly rate $49.28 - $51.51 per hour

Not For Profit salary packaging benefits.

ABOUT THE JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICE (JAS)

JAS is a service of the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS). It 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.

We walk alongside victims, witnesses, suspects & defendants in all stages of the criminal justice process.

ABOUT THE JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

The Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program (CLSD Program) supports 12 regional justice partnerships across parts of regional, rural and remote NSW. The purpose of each partnership is to build and nurture a network of key legal and community services in order to increase access to justice and improve legal and social outcomes for people who experience social or economic disadvantage or dislocation.

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 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

Justice Advocates coordinate, support and debrief local volunteers and Police Station Support Workers to provide a quality support and advocacy service to people with cognitive impairment when they are involved in the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses, suspects and/or defendants.

They also deliver support to people with cognitive impairment when a volunteer/police station support worker 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.

Justice Advocates 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.

After hours and weekend on-call work is required to support the efficient and quality delivery of the JAS after hours service to people with cognitive impairment in police custody. This is additionally remunerated at Award rates.

In this blended role you will assist the CLSD Program Partnership to achieve its objectives by developing a Regional Action Plan, helping partners to identify service priorities for their region and to develop, implement and monitor projects to address those priorities and report on them.

This includes developing strategies to improve the access of people experiencing economic and/or social disadvantage to legal assistance services and related non-legal services, including linking pro bono partners.

You will convene and provide secretariat support for four CLSD Program Partnership meetings each year.

SELECTION CRITERIA (MUST BE ADDRESSED)

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working with people with cognitive impairment or other socially disadvantaged groups.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate within the scope of the role to achieve the best outcomes at court for marginalised people
• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly.
• Understanding of the systemic barriers impacting on the rights of victims of crime, suspects and defendants with cognitive impairment when involved in the criminal justice system.
• Significant experience in developing collaborative diverse networks, creating and maintaining stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a remote team environment.
• Commitment to ensuring a culturally supportive and safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users.
• Skills and ability to support and debrief frontline volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, monitor and report on plans and outcomes.
• Demonstrated competency using client databases and proficiency using the Microsoft Office suite of products including SharePoint.

Desirable skills, knowledge, experience

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

Note: A National Police Check will be conducted for recommended applicants, and they will be required to provide a Working With Children clearance.

CONTACT

For enquiries, please contact Michael Young (Regional Manager) via email [email protected] using the subject line: Justice Advocate / Co-operative Legal Service Delivery Project - Broken Hill enquiry via Ethical Jobs or telephone during business hours on 0448 776 790.

A position description is attached.