Position Description: Client Advocate
Position Details
Position Title / Client Advocate / Location / KununurraEmployment Basis / Full Time / Hours / 0830 – 1700
Reports to / Manager / Manages / No line management of perm. staff; may supervise volunteers.
Position Objectives
To deliver intensive, wrap-around support services to clients (with a particular focus on housing and family violence issues), working closely with legal staff as part of an integrated service.
Key Responsibilities
1 Service delivery1.1 Provide non-legal advice and assistance to clients as part of an integrated, holistic and client-focused service, focusing especially on housing and family violence issues
1.2 Refer clients to other relevant services and community resources, based on a sound knowledge of and relationships with other service providers and governments
1.3 Assist all clients to develop and implement relevant plans, particularly around safety and housing security, and otherwise to assist clients as needed to establish a life of safety, stability and meaning.
1.4 Maintain professional client files and specialised funder/service database entries.
1.5 Be a part of our reflective community of practice, working closely with the rest of the team to ensure improvement in our service to the community.
2 Community Legal Education and Law Reform
2.1 Working with other staff, co-deliver programs and initiatives to inform the East Kimberley community about family violence and housing issues and how KCLS can assist.
2.2 Participate in identifying law reform priorities and participate in strategies to address these.
3 Community Development3.1 Participate in interagency networks and build/maintain relationships with referring agencies, key organisations, community leaders and local people relevant to the area.
3.2 Participate in collaborative efforts with other service providers or organisations in delivering information, advocacy and education.
4 Service Development
4.1 Assist the Principal Solicitor and the Manager and other KCLS staff as needed to prepare service delivery plans, reporting to external agencies and program budgets.
4.2 Participate in organisational development activities and strategies.
5 Professional Development
5.1 Undertake appropriate professional development activities to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills required to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.
Selection Criteria
Essential1. Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience in client-centred social work.
2. Critical interpersonal communication skills, including communicating with clients with empathy.
3. Sound organisational skills and ability to manage workload and competing demands, keep accurate files and records, meet deadlines and work effectively as part of a team.
4. Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people.
5. High degree of comfort operating in the community outside an office environment, including working with clients in their homes and other external locations.
6. Experience in advising and representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and in delivering community education programs.
7. Personal resilience, adaptability, initiative and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery.
Desirable
8. Current driver’s licence valid for use in WA.
9. Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation.
10. Experience with delivery of support to victims of family violence.