Client Support Officer (ACT Yarrabi Bamirr Program)

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Client Support Officer (ACT Yarrabi Bamirr Program). Terms and conditions vacancy

• Working with Your Community ACT
• Working with ALS Community colleagues
• Salary Sacrifice can mean more take home pay  
• Rostered day off per month
• 35 hour week
• Paid Christmas leave + 4 weeks annual leave loading
• Special leave 6 days per year  
• Salary paid fortnightly  

Yarrabi Bamirr Justice Reinvestment Trial is a family-centric service support model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families living in the ACT - to reduce or prevent contact with the justice system and improve life outcomes.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

Work collaboratively with local community, the Justice Reinvestment Trial Co-ordinator (JACS) and other stakeholders to:

• provide lead case work to participating families, in order to achieve the outcomes of the Yarrabi Bamirr Justice Reinvestment Trial.
• ensure that families are listened to, understood and supported by use of co-designed family plan that is central to the success of the Trial.
• assist Yarrabi Bamirr participants with arrangements as well as transport to and from appointments related to achieving family plans and the outcomes of the trial such as counselling, education, housing and medical appointments.
• participate in the governance of the trial (case management meetings and reporting to the governance structure underpinning the development of the ACT Justice Reinvestment Strategy).

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The position reports directly to the ALS Yarrabi Bamirr Program Solicitor.

The position is a staff member of the ALS Office team located within the ACT and as such will contribute together with other work colleagues in collaborative team work and team building.

ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited (ALS) is a public company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is primarily funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General’s department and managed by an Aboriginal Board and governed by the ALS Company. The Company consists of thirty Aboriginal people from NSW and ACT and Company members are elected for three-year terms and represent their community.

The ALS is one of the largest Aboriginal legal practices delivering legal services to Aboriginal people in Australia. With over 200 staff, we provide information and referral, legal advice and court representation in criminal law, family law and care and protection law to Aboriginal men, women and children in 22 offices across urban, regional and remote NSW and ACT.

The ALS aims to provide culturally appropriate information and referral, legal advice and court representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children in NSW and ACT. We assist in criminal law, care & protection and family law and we provide information and referral for other civil law matters. We also provide community legal education, a custody notification service, prisoner through-care in the ACT and tenancy advocacy.

The ALS is committed to achieving justice for Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal community. This is achieved by: ensuring the ALS remains committed to being community focussed; being fearless in our advocacy; accountable and ethical and aiming to make a difference to create better futures; while also acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal traditional values and cultural practices.

KEY COMMUNICATIONS

This position will require the occupant to possess a high level plain English written and oral communication skills, as well as a hands-on practical and flexible approach to problem solving.

Internal: All ALS officers will work collectively to provide Yarrabi Bamirr participants support and legal services.

The position holder will liaise closely with their Supervising Solicitor. They will also interact, liaise and support regularly with their other work colleagues, particularly the Community Justice Programs team.

External: The position holder will collaborate with the Trial Co-ordinator (JACS), the Trial evaluators, Yarrabi Bamirr participants and other external stakeholders.

CHALLENGES

Major challenges faced by the position are:

• Targeting the purpose of the Yarrabi Bamirr Program and being innovative and creative in achieving Trial outcomes.
• Meeting the demands and expectations of participants and stakeholders, in the delivery of support services and legal services under the Program.
• Delivering professional and culturally appropriate support services and advice to participants within the Program.
• Effectively balancing the requirements of a demanding and confronting workload.
• Fully understanding the purpose of the ACT Yarrabi Bamirr Program and being able to communicate its benefits and the services available to participants.
• Acceptance and understanding of the Program within the Aboriginal community.
• Maintaining an up to date knowledge of programs and services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the justice related environment.
• Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, keeping abreast of justice support developments, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices and community needs.
• Adapting to new systems and technology which have a significant impact on supporting clients in contact with the justice system.
• Being able to communicate with and effectively support Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, have a physical or intellectual disability, or have problem behaviours such as drug or alcohol addictions, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand.

DECISION MAKING

The position is guided in its decision-making by relevant legislation and by the ALS policies, practices/guidelines and the Programs funding purposes. The position holder makes independent decisions relating to their day-to-day conduct of participants support and advisory services within this context.

The position assists the Supervising Solicitor and seeks their advice on a regular basis, they also consult with other work colleagues.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

• collaborate with the Trial Co-ordinator (JACS) regarding referral of potential participants
• engage with clients (often they will still be incarcerated when joining the program) ensuring they are given information about the Trial and sign the appropriate consents
• assist with the co-design of the family plan, and work alongside the family, when needed, to achieve and maintain the plan using principles of self-determination.
• utilise, with approval of the Trial Co-ordinator, brokerage funds in order to alleviate family crisis and achieve the goals of family plans.
• provide and refer a range of appropriate services for families to improve and have meaning in their lives.
• support the independent evaluation of the Trial (record keeping and data management as well as supporting activities of researchers from the Australian National University).
• identify when access to services is blocked and utilise an escalation process via the Trial Co-ordinator (JACS) or Justice Reinvestment Manager (JACS) to access crucial assistance for families.
• ensure appropriate case management plans are developed, implemented and monitored in line with standards required.
• Provide culturally appropriate welfare support and advisory services for participants who are seeking assistance under the Program;
• Attend to participants enquiries in a timely manner, including referral to key services and support programs;
• Provide quality advice to the Supervising Solicitor and other staff on cultural and service provision issues relating to participants;
• Liaise and network with relevant stakeholders, including, government, peak agencies, and industry and community groups in order to establish collaborative working relationships and alliances;
• Undertake relevant legal and non-legal case management activities and related administrative requirements;
• assist in the recording of participant information and the preparation of relevant statistical information;
• , maintain routine participant liaison and ensure that participants have sufficient access and services under the Program;
• Ensure the lawful achievement of ALS core business objectives to the highest standards of probity and efficiency, and with due reference to the interests of all stakeholder;
• Ensure all policies and practices are ethical and comply with the ALS’s policies and workplace health and safety legislation and promote the establishment of equal employment and access in accordance with agreed statutory policy;
• Display good time management skills;
• Work collaboratively as a team member with all other legal, field and administrative staff to achieve effective co-ordination within your office;
• Develop and maintain good negotiation and communication skills and where appropriate assist, guide and support other work colleagues;
• Keep up-to-date on justice services and supports and procedures and identifying training needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential Criteria

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or is accepted as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community in which he or she lives.
• An extensive knowledge of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities and the social issues affecting those communities.
• Experience in working with Aboriginal communities to establish and maintain effective networks with relevant service providers, both government and non-government.
• In depth knowledge of support and referral services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Minimum 2 years similar experience working with Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander clients in the Justice system.
• Knowledge & experience with the Australian Capital Territory Justice system.
• Proven capacity to identify and understand legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander peoples, in the ACT in particular.
• Holder of The Australian Capital Territory Vulnerability Card and approved access to Correctional Centers, Court and Police cells.
• Drivers licence & willingness to drive or fly lengthy distances within the Region and stay overnight or longer to undertake court work or training.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community based organisation.

Note

• Applicants must agree to undergo a Criminal History Check.

Salary range for the position: 

$51,381 (Grossed Up Approx $59,540) to $58,650 (Grossed Up Approx $67,132)

For enquiries regarding this position please contact Ms Jane Thomson (ACT Yarrabi Bamirr Solicitor)

P:  02 6249 8488 or E: [email protected]

For application package please contact Ms Mali Kelly at ALS Head Office

P:  02 9213 4100 or E: [email protected]

Applications close midnight Tuesday, 17 July 2018  

This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.