• Interstate applicants welcome

About Safe Space Legal – Culture and Values

Safe Space Legal is a boutique law firm practicing exclusively in child safety and safeguarding. Our mission is to support organisations to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable people by providing expert legal advice and safeguarding services.

Our values guide and shape the culture that brings out the best in all employees at Safe Space Legal, in turn allowing us to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.

• Integrity
• Reliability
• Empowerment
• Safety
• Expertise
• Professionalism

Position Purpose

The purpose of the Senior Lawyer role is to ensure the delivery of best possible safeguarding outcomes for our clients throughout the life cycle of their matters.

To deliver this, the key areas of focus for this position include:

• Ensuring quality work is produced with an emphasis on a high standard of client service.
• Delivering a professional and supportive experience to each of our clients.
• Sound knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation and staying up to date with legislative changes.
• Development of the skills and knowledge required to independently conduct a broad range of safeguarding matters.

Key Relationships

• Clients
• Lawyers
• Principal Lawyer
• Practice Manager
• Referrers

Technical Competencies

• Provide high-quality legal advice, representation, assistance and referrals for clients, under limited supervision.
• Draft and review documentation including client safeguarding policies, procedures, and codes of conduct, under limited supervision.
• Undertake child safety and safeguarding investigations, under limited supervision, including:
  • Reviewing documentation.
  • Preparing and interviewing complainant(s), witnesses and subject of allegations.
  • Drafting and finalising of investigation report consistent with requirements of the Reportable Conduct Scheme or other relevant frameworks.
  • Liaison with clients, governing bodies, and regulators.
  • Drafting correspondence.
  • Identification of allegations outside of the scope of the investigation and seeking instructions.
  • Identification of systemic safeguarding concerns and providing advice on other matters arising.
• Prepare and conduct legal education training for clients.
• Conduct safeguarding audits and gap and root cause analyses, under limited supervision.
• Carriage of client files in a range of legal matters of varying complexity, under limited supervision.
• Draft correspondence and documentation for clients, including letters of advice and safeguarding audit reports, under limited supervision.
• Research and prepare articles and resources to be published on the Safe Space Legal website and social media channels.
• Prepare and present webinars on various safeguarding topics.
• Conduct legal research as required.
• Liaise with external regulators as required, including Victoria Police, Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, Victorian Institute of Teaching, Department of Education, Commission for Children and Young People, NDIS Commission, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
• Contribute to planning relevant to the Senior Lawyer's work, including implementation of Safe Space Legal’s strategic plan and progress towards Safe Space Legal’s goals.
• Keep accurate and complete records of work activities in accordance with legislative requirements, information security and privacy policies.
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace by adhering to legislative requirements and Safe Space Legal’s policies and procedures.
• Any other reasonable tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Principal Lawyer or other supervisor.

Non-Technical Competencies

• Work collaboratively with other staff members to ensure a cohesive, positive, and collaborative environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to maintain relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback to improve technical skills and competencies.
• Effective time management and autonomy in managing workflow.
• Adaptability and growth mindset.
• Ability to identify and address problems with strategic thinking.
• Strong work ethic and high level of self-discipline and professionalism.
• Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness and empathy.

Education and Experience

• Degree qualified in Law.
• Hold, or currently entitled to hold, a current practicing certificate as issued by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner.
• Minimum of 5 years post-admission experience (preferred).
• Proven ability to consistently achieve set goals or targets.
• Ability to take direction from senior lawyers and provide effective support.
• Demonstrated learning and growth mindset with a commitment to develop and master the skills necessary to be a successful safeguarding lawyer.