THE ROLE

This unique blended role is perfect for a person who enjoys working collaboratively across the community to increase access to justice. The position focuses on providing direct support at court and police stations, building community networks and partnerships, and recruiting and developing a team of dedicated volunteers. The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) supports access to justice for people with cognitive impairments, while the Co-operative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program enhances legal and social outcomes for individuals experiencing social or economic disadvantage.

This role involves working 26 hours per week with some flexibility in terms of days and hours. The position spans two organizations: IDRS - JAS and Legal Aid, both of which are committed to supporting access to justice. It is ideal for a self-motivated, driven individual who can work independently to achieve meaningful results for clients.

Additionally, this role offers not-for-profit salary packaging benefits.

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.

ABOUT THE JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICE (JAS)

JAS is a service of the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS). It is a free service that supports adults & young people 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Justice Advocates support individuals with cognitive impairments involved in the criminal justice system, whether as victims, witnesses, suspects, or defendants, by providing assistance at court, legal appointments, and police stations. They focus on the specific needs and rights of their clients, helping them assert their rights, challenge restrictive decisions and actions, and achieve justice and equality in their daily lives. Additionally, they offer advocacy support for issues directly impacting their court matters.

Justice Advocates also play a crucial role in coordinating, supporting, and debriefing local volunteers and Police Station Support Workers to ensure high-quality support for individuals with cognitive impairments. This role includes after-hours and weekend remote on-call work to support the efficient delivery of the JAS after-hours service for individuals in police custody. This on-call work is rostered, occurring approximately once a month, and is remunerated at Award rates.

In this blended role, you will also work as a Regional Coordinator for the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program. This includes devising strategies to improve access to legal assistance and related non-legal services for people experiencing economic and social disadvantage, 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 individuals with cognitive impairment or other socially disadvantaged groups.
• Proven ability to advocate within the scope of the role to achieve the best outcomes for marginalised people.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple and clear manner.
• Comprehensive understanding of the systemic barriers affecting the rights of victims of crime, suspects, and defendants with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system.
• Experience in developing collaborative and diverse networks, as well as creating and maintaining stakeholder engagement.
• Proven capability to work independently and effectively within a remote team environment.
• Strong 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.
• Ability to manage workload and time effectively across two organisations, whilst performing two distinctly different roles.
• Proficiency in using client databases and 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.

TO APPLY

Please use the selection criteria skills, knowledge, experience as headings in your cover letter submitted via SEEK. All selection criteria must be addressed for your application to be considered.

CONTACT

For enquiries, please contact Nadine Farrell (Area Manager) via email [email protected] or telephone during business hours on 0429 228 761

Applications close 9am, Monday 3rd March 2025.