North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

Duty Statement

POSITION:Prison Based Intensive Case Manager

LOCATION:Darwin Correctional Centre

RESPONSIBLE TO:Throughcare Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Ltd (NAAJA) aims to empower Aboriginal people and advance the interests and aspirations of the Aboriginal community through the provision of a comprehensive range of legal and support services throughout the Top End of the Northern Territory.

NAAJA Throughcare is an innovative and culturally strengthening program which aims to reduce repeat offending by supporting Aboriginal prisoners and their families through the delivery of strength based pre and post release service provision.

The successful person will support Aboriginal prisoners in the Darwin Correctional Centre and Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre and their families through the delivery of high quality Throughcare services.

The position requires high levels of motivation, energy and commitment to professional excellence. Suitably qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Prison based intensive case manager shall report directly to the Throughcare Manager.

DUTIES:

The Prison based case manager’s duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Support Aboriginal prisoners applying for parole through liaising between the Aboriginal prisoner and their Parole and Probation Officer and providing prisoners access to legal advice and representation
  • Facilitating Aboriginal prisoners receiving community legal education through working with the NAAJA CLE Solicitor and other legal services to provide culturally appropriate CLE to Aboriginal prisoners.
  • Assist Aboriginal prisoners to obtain legal advice and representation in Criminal, Civil and Family Law provided by external agencies through providing support and the initial contact between the prisoner and the legal service including NTLAC, DCLS TEWLS, NAAFVLS and NAAJA, Ombudsman, Health and Community Services Complaints Commission and other complaint bodies
  • Make referrals to the Darwin Correctional Centre’s Prisoner Services Section for prisoners/offenders with complex needs including substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness and other non-vocational barriers to assist them prepare for release.
  • Provide short-term post release support to prisoners being released to the greater Darwin area after having served a lengthy sentence. The support is for clients not otherwise eligible for assistance through NAAJA’s Indigenous Throughcare Project and is to assist clients with their reporting conditions to their parole officer, and in terms of their compliance with their other parole conditions.
  • Liaise with community groups, agencies, and individuals to address prisoners’ needs to reduce the psychological stresses of incarceration.
  • Compile monthly statistical reports for project coordinator and participate in regular feedback session as scheduled.
  • In collaboration and under direction from management, assist in identifying the broader trends and issues that affect prisoners and liaise with other relevant agencies in order to improve prisoner services.
  • Any other duties as may reasonably be directed (falling within the scope and objective of this position description).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of the issues which affect incarcerated Aboriginal people.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide case management and counselling services to incarcerated Aboriginal people.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, sensitively and in a culturally appropriate manner with Aboriginal prisoners, their families, community members and other relevant people.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain client confidentiality and illustrate an awareness of the issues relating to client confidentiality and privacy within the Aboriginal community and the work environment.
  • Demonstrated skills and abilities in the preparation of clear, concise written communication, including the ability to analyse and extract relevant information for the purpose of preparing formal reports, assessments, parole applications and other relevant documentation.
  • Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system including the court process, Corrective Services and parole practices and the relevant legislation.
  • Ability to work as an effective member of a team in a community organisation, including the ability to deal with the organisation’s demands such as meeting rigid deadlines.
  • Possession of a current driver’s licence is essential (you may be required to provide evidence of your driving record).
  • Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.
  • A current Ochre Card or the ability to gain.

Desirable

  • Possession of a degree in social work or the behavioural sciences from a recognised tertiary institution.

Please note: applicants for this position must address the selection criteria in their written application, which should be sent to

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