• 1 x Sydney CBD based full-time (37.5 hours)
• Opportunity to make a difference
• Contract position up to 30 June 2021 – extension dependent on on-going funding
• Salary range $76,714 - $80,730 plus 9.5% super + Not For Profit salary packaging benefits

IDRS is looking for people who will bring their passion for social justice and advocacy skills. As a Justice Advocate you will be supporting and assisting people with cognitive impairment when they are involved with the criminal justice system as victims, defendants or witnesses.

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.

About the Justice Advocacy Service

The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) is funded by the NSW Department of Communities & Justice. The Justice Advocacy Service provides support persons for people with cognitive impairment in their interactions with police, courts and lawyers across NSW. The Justice Advocacy Service 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.

With the generous support of our Volunteers, we support victims of crime, witnesses, suspects and defendants across NSW.

Justice Advocate Role - Key Responsibilities

• Support person for people with cognitive impairment in interactions with police if the person has been arrested or wishes to make a statement to the police as a witness or victim of crime. This will involve some after-hours on-call work at police stations.
• Support person for people with cognitive impairment at court, legal appointments or criminal justice related conferences/mediations
• Recruit, support and manage a network of local volunteer support persons
• Advocacy to assist the person to resolve problems or issues impacting their criminal justice proceedings or outcome

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 www.crimcheck.org.au will be conducted and a Working with Children Check must be provided (https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check).

Essential Skills & Experience

Your application must include a statement explaining why you believe you have to following skills and experience. Without this statement, your application may not be included.

• Demonstrated experience working in a flexible person centred way with people with cognitive impairment or other social disadvantage
• Demonstrated ability to advocate effectively and persistently to achieve best outcomes for disadvantaged people
• Understanding of systemic barriers for victims of crime and suspects/defendants with cognitive impairment when involved in the criminal justice system
• Ability to support, motivate and manage a network of local volunteer support persons
• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly
• Ability to work effectively with Aboriginal people
• Proven ability to work independently and in a small team environment

Desirable

Sound understanding of the operation of the criminal justice system

The position involves some after hours on-call work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are encouraged to apply.

We are also recruiting for a Justice Advocate position in Muswellbrook. To find out more click here.

A Position Description is attached.