Job description

• Managing the Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) Court based diversion program across the 6 sites (Downing Centre, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Lismore and Gosford)
• Opportunity to make a lead and develop a team to make a difference in their local and surrounding communities
• Sydney based Maternity Leave contract position 12 months from commencement date
• Salary $96,969 plus 10% super + Not For Profit salary packaging benefits

The salary for the position is based on Level 6 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.

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 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Area Manager will manage a team of Diversion Coordinator's whose responsibilities 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.

This role will also support Diversion Coordinators in identifying and obtaining 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 Area Manager is responsible for checking and editing the Diversion Coordinator's reports that are to be submitted to the defendant's lawyer

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:

• Practical understanding of the operation of the NSW Criminal Justice System and how it intersects with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• Experience in leading, developing and managing a diverse team, to achieve service outcomes within expected timeframes.
• Proven ability to support and supervise staff, who may be geographically dispersed, including managing workplace performance.
• Experience embedding a quality and continuous improvement approach in the workplace, and proactively addressing issues identified.
• Demonstrated high level verbal and written communication skills to be able to support and develop the team.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with key external stakeholders to support the operation and goals of a service.
• Proven strategies for managing time and competing priorities in a high-volume work environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the NDIS including the different funding categories and review processes.
• Good understanding of the various cognitive impairments and relevant referral and support pathways, both disability specific and mainstream services.

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 will be a requirement of this role 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: Area Manager, Justice Advocacy Service - Court Based Diversion 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.

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.