legal aid nsw reconciliation action plan 2015-2018 · 2015-09-30 · 2 legal aid nsw reconciliation...

1Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018

Legal Aid NSWReconciliation Action Plan2015-2018

2 Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018

Legal Aid NSW recognises the diverse language groups, kinship structures and customs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities throughout metropolitan, rural, remote and regional locations in NSW. While in this document, reference is made in general terms to Aboriginal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous peoples, this in no way diminishes this diversity.

Cover photograph: Merinda Dutton and Carl Freer from Legal Aid NSW’s Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities.

Statement of Commitment from CEO and Chairperson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Reconciliation Australia CEO’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Our Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Our RAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Reconciliation Champion’s Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

RAP Actions for 2015-2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

• Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

• Respect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

• Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

• Tracking Progress and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Shortened Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Table of Contents

4

In 2013 Legal Aid NSW launched its first ever Reconciliation Action Plan. This landmark document clearly stated our commitment to the principles of reconciliation and in providing high quality legal representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across the state. Now in 2015 we re-state that commitment by building upon the actions of the first Reconciliation Action Plan and look to raise the bar even further in our reach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through innovative services and true partnerships.

This is something that is just as important if not more so in an environment of high demand on our services.

Our second RAP sees us continue:

� Our highly successful Judge Bob Bellear Pathways to Legal Careers Program which has contributed greatly to the high number of practicing Aboriginal lawyers that we have in each of our practice areas.

� Our Aboriginal Field Officers in Civil and Family Law as well as Work and Development Orders which have contributed greatly to reducing the barriers between Aboriginal communities and our services through the provision of local community knowledge and connections.

As well as introduce new initiatives, including:

� A new targeted approach to increasing the knowledge and skills of our staff in working with Aboriginal clients that is tailored to practice areas, divisions and local communities.

� A new target for Aboriginal employment which will see us go from 5.5% to 6%. � Increased support for our partnership with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)

Ltd through the provision of an additional Care & Protection Aboriginal Field Officer.

All of this greatly enhances the services that we as an organisation are committed to providing to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and communities across NSW.

Statement of Commitment from CEO and Chairperson

Craig Smith Chairperson, Legal Aid NSW Board

Bill Grant CEO, Legal Aid NSW

Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018 5

Reconciliation Australia congratulates Legal Aid NSW on the development and implementation of their second Reconciliation Action Plan. The Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018 has been developed within the framework of our Stretch RAP’s which are designed for organisations who are implementing longer-term strategies and working towards defined targets and goals. Within this the business case for the RAP is well developed with a RAP working group that has high level internal support in developing, implementing and monitoring the Stretch RAP.

The Stretch RAP is focused on expanding and embedding tested and proven strategies to meet realistic targets. Legal Aid NSW is implementing key requirements of a Stretch RAP setting targets for:

� National Reconciliation Week participation � Cultural awareness targets through the development and implementation of a

cultural competency program for both in-house staff and private legal practitioners � Recruitment, retention and promotion targets as shown in their Stand Together:

Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy 2015-2018 � Procurement targets to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business is

supported in their engagement of services

I commend Legal Aid NSW for being a leader within the justice sector of the NSW government in the development and implementation of their stretch RAP. As we know far too well, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are vastly over-represented in the criminal justice system and face significant issues in regard to their interaction with the family and civil law sections of the legal system. As a key provider of legal representation services, with particular regard to their strong working relationship with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd, Legal Aid NSW is particularly well placed to contribute to the principles of reconciliation.

Reconciliation Australia CEO’s Message

Justin MohamedCEO, Reconciliation Australia


Our VisionAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are vastly over represented in the adult prison population and the juvenile detention population, but comprise under 3% of the overall population. The legal needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may be complex, encompassing not only criminal law, but also civil and family law (including care and protection) and a range of social and cultural issues.

In recognising past wrongs, the devastating over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the justice system and the complexity of legal, health and social issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Legal Aid NSW strives to:

� Work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to improve access to the legal services they need and ensure they have the knowledge to protect their individual rights

� Seek change in the justice system to reduce the over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

� Meet the civil and family law needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities

� Ensure services are culturally sensitive and recognise the individual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around NSW

� Be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, offering a respectful, challenging and supportive career path.

Legal Aid NSW has given a commitment to address the guiding principles that underpin reconciliation, importantly this includes a commitment to cultural sensitivity and true partnerships, for all our interaction with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. We recognised that to further increase access to our services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities we need to raise the bar in regard to our overall coordination of such services, including public scrutiny of these initiatives.

Every staff member of Legal Aid NSW plays an important role in contributing to the vision of this Reconciliation Action Plan.


Every staff member of Legal Aid NSW plays an important role in contributing to the vision of this

Reconciliation Action Plan.

Scott Hawkins and Janelle Clarke from Legal Aid NSW’s Aboriginal Services Unit


Legal Aid NSW provides legal aid services across NSW, assisting economically and socially disadvantaged people to understand and protect their rights in the legal system. People with disabilities, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people who are institutionalised may experience difficulties when enforcing and defending their rights.

Legal Aid NSW provides legal advice, information and minor assistance and legal representation in crime, civil and family law. Legal Aid NSW also provides alternative dispute resolution services, along with community legal education programs and publications aimed at increasing the community’s knowledge of their legal rights.

Legal Aid NSW achieves these services through the employment of in-house lawyers (Legal Officers), grants of legal aid to private legal practitioners (lawyers not employed by Legal Aid NSW) and the funding and administration of services and programs with other key community based organisations.

The Legal Aid NSW Board, which consists of the Chief Executive Officer and nine part-time members, establishes the broad policies and strategic plans of Legal Aid NSW. Legal Aid NSW is the largest legal aid agency in Australia, comprising a head office in Sydney, 22 offices in metropolitan and regional centres across NSW and a number of specialist services and advice clinics. There are approximately 1000 staff members employed by Legal Aid NSW.

In 2015 Legal Aid NSW surpassed its RAP target of 5.5% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. This represents almost 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, with 19 practicing lawyers in our criminal, civil and family law divisions, along with legal support officers, grants officers and policy and program managers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are also supported by an Aboriginal Staff Network which meets twice every year to provide peer support, networking and training opportunities. Coordinating all these activities is the Aboriginal Services Unit within Legal Aid NSW. The Director of this Unit is a member of the Executive of Legal Aid NSW.

Our Business


Legal Aid NSW Offices

Dubbo

Tamworth

Wagga Wagga

Orange

Nowra

Wollongong

SydneyGosford-Wyong

Newcastle

Port Macquarie

Legal Aid NSW Offices in SydneyBankstownBlacktownBurwoodCampbelltownCentral SydneyFairfieldLiverpoolParramattaParramatta Justice PrecinctPenrithSutherland

Coffs Harbour

Lismore


Legal Aid NSW developed and implemented our first ever Reconciliation Action Plan in 2013. Our first RAP was based on extensive internal and external consultation to ensure it reflected both the needs of the community and the operational reality of the organisation. The resulting RAP taught us many things in regard to success and challenges including:

� Success being based on true partnerships with people, communities and peak organisations. Legal Aid NSW has increased the strength of our relationships with peak community organisations such as the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd through the continuation of our Statement of Commitment, Aboriginal Field Officers (Civil and Family Law and Work and Development Orders) and through the additional funding of a Care and Protection Field Officer.

� Challenges were also faced, most notably, communicating the vision and goals of the RAP to all levels of the organisation. Making the RAP relevant to the day to day work of staff is critical to achieving the goals of the RAP, however communicating this to the organisation was a challenge. A survey of staff in regard to their general awareness of the RAP showed that there was much potential to increase the staff ownership of a new RAP.

Our new RAP seeks to build upon the success of the previous RAP and will also introduce new initiatives to further increase our commitment to addressing the legal needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in NSW. This will see us:

� Implement a new model of Aboriginal Cultural Awareness that will be tailored to the specific requirements of individual practice areas and circumstances of local Aboriginal communities

� Provide additional support for the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd through the maintenance of an additional Care & Protection Field Officer

� Increase the target for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment to 6% of the total workforce (up from 5.5% and well above the State Government benchmark of 2.6%)

� Scope the feasibility of expanding the highly successful Aboriginal Field Officer (Civil and Family Law) program

� Launch a new Aboriginal Employment & Career Development Strategy 2015-2018 (Stand Together)

� Take the RAP to every Legal Aid NSW office in a partnership between our Aboriginal Staff Network and Reconciliation Champions Network.

Our RAP


The Legal Aid NSW RAP 2015-2018 looks to build upon the successes of our first RAP; learn from the challenges that it presented and implement new and innovative strategies to address the changing legal needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in NSW. The impact of our first RAP cannot be understated. It has seen numerous changes within the organisation, including:

� A more coordinated approach across all practice and policy areas in regard to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives

� Better awareness of the principles of reconciliation and the need for it to be a part of the organisation’s service delivery

� Increased involvement of key external stakeholders in the development and implementation of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives, including with our key partner in the delivery of legal representation services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd

� Increased awareness of the services provided by Legal Aid NSW within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the state.

As with our first RAP, the development of the Legal Aid NSW RAP was guided by the RAP Working Group. The working group comprises key stakeholders within the organisation including senior management and Aboriginal staff members. This ensures both support from the very top of the organisation as well as the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff are represented on the Working Group by the Director, Aboriginal Services, along with two representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network. In 2015 the working group members are:

� Richard Funston Director, Criminal Law & RAP Working Group Chairperson

� Scott Hawkins Director, Aboriginal Services

� Steve O’Connor Deputy CEO

� Vicki Leaver Director, People & Organisational Development

� Jane Cipants Manager, Legal Service Development

� Miranda Jakich Manager, Communications Unit

� Kristy Kennedy Solicitor, Civil Law, Aboriginal Staff Network Representative

� Toni Cooper Project Officer, Aboriginal Services, Aboriginal Staff Network Representative

Our new RAP seeks to build upon the success of the previous RAP and will also introduce new initiatives to further increase our commitment to addressing the legal needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in NSW.


The RAP Working Group has met on eight occasions throughout the development of the RAP and also organised Legal Aid NSW’s official celebration of National Reconciliation Week 2015. From the outset we had a very strong commitment to working in genuine partnership both within the organisation and with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal community organisations.

To help raise awareness of the RAP within the organisation the Working Group partnered with our People and Organisational Development (POD) division and our Reconciliation Champions Network to consult on the RAP at a series of workshops that went to all of the Legal Aid NSW metropolitan and regional offices as part of a broader organisational consultation process.

There are 13 Reconciliation Champions within Legal Aid NSW and they are located in both metropolitan and regional offices. The Reconciliation Champions Network was established as a direct response to lessons learned with our first RAP, where it was shown that awareness of the RAP within the organisation was relatively low. To help address this we saw the establishment of the Champions Network as a means of not only raising awareness of the RAP but also empowering staff to take ownership of the process. It also acknowledges the commitment and passion that many Legal Aid NSW staff have to the principles of reconciliation. To this end all staff were invited to submit an expression of interest to become a champion, with the result showing the increasing level of commitment to the reconciliation movement from within the organisation. In 2015 Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Champions are:

� Richard Funston Director, Criminal Law and Chair, Reconciliation Champions Network � Charmaine Mumbulla A/Senior Communications Officer, Aboriginal Services and

Co-Chair, Reconciliation Champions Network � Patrick Latham Civil Lawyer, Dubbo � Laura Smith Office Manager, Coffs Harbour � Rob Hoyles Solicitor in Charge, Port Macquarie � Paul Walkden A/Solicitor in Charge, Wollongong � Mary Gleeson Family Lawyer, Early Intervention Unit � Jenny Lovric Manager, Cooperative Legal Service Delivery � Ruth Pilkinton Solicitor in Charge, Early Intervention Unit, Family Law � Jemima McCaughan Senior Lawyer, Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities � Helen Shaw Criminal Lawyer, Indictable � Keppie Waters Criminal Lawyer, Prisoners Legal Service � Lynne Worrall Civil Lawyer, Civil Law Outreach Team

There are 13 Reconciliation Champions within Legal Aid NSW and they are located in both metropolitan and regional offices.

Our RAP cont.


Development and implementation of the RAP has also been supported by Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services. The Aboriginal Services Unit comprises:

� Scott Hawkins Director, Aboriginal Services � Janelle Clarke Senior Aboriginal Project Officer � Toni Cooper Aboriginal Project Officer � Charmaine Mumbulla A/Senior Aboriginal Communication Officer

The unit provides a central coordination point for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives, including those aimed at increasing access to services, employment and career development. A key program driving the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lawyers practicing at Legal Aid NSW is the Judge Bob Bellear Pathways to Legal Careers program which provides:

� Scholarships for High School students to help them complete their Higher School Certificate

� Cadetships for undergraduate Law Students, providing study allowance and employment while undertaking a law degree

� Two Professional Legal Placements, providing the practical component for those getting their practicing certificate

� Two places on the Graduate Development program, providing two years experience for recently admitted practicing lawyers.

Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Champions


Our RAP cont.The Senior Aboriginal Communication Officer role was created and filled from within the organisation to design the layout of the RAP, a position that has ensured that it is both appealing to the eye and practical in nature. This role has been critical in both the consultation process and printing of the RAP, as well as in the development of promotional material.

The establishment of the Aboriginal Services unit, its ongoing operation and the resources attached are vital to the organisation’s success in managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service initiatives.

In developing the 2015-2018 RAP, consultations took place at key events and with key stakeholders:

� Legal Aid NSW’s Civil Law Forum

� All Legal Aid NSW’s regional and metropolitan offices as part of the POD roadshow

� Legal Aid NSW’s Senior Crime Managers Conference

� Yabun Festival 2015

� Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Justice Committee comprising members from Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd, Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program, State Community Legal Centres Aboriginal Legal Access Program, Department of Justice, Legal Aid NSW Directors

� Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Staff Network

� Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Champions Network: a network of non-Aboriginal staff taking the lead in promoting reconciliation.

In developing the 2015-2018 RAP, consultations took place at key events and with key stakeholders.


Toni Cooper from the Aboriginal Services Unit and Benjamin Dougall from Strategic Policy and Planning and Community Partnerships


Reconciliation Champion’s ProfileKeppie Waters is a criminal lawyer currently working within the Legal Aid NSW Prisoner’s Legal Service. Keppie brings passion and experience to the role of Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Champion, as illustrated by this insight:

Being a champion for reconciliation is not something new to me as I’ve been passionate about social justice since I was a child. However, being chosen to participate in the Reconciliation Champions Network has given me a tangible opportunity to promote reconciliation at Legal Aid alongside enthusiastic, like-minded colleagues.

My commitment to social justice comes from what I witnessed as a child moving to Taree. At the age of nine, I was puzzled when I heard for the first time my peers speaking derogatorily about Koori classmates for no reason. I quickly became aware that this talk was racism and prejudice. As an 11 year old I spoke up against a teacher’s assertion to me that my Koori classmates wouldn’t receive acknowledgment for their work because “they’re a different colour”. I became a lawyer because at age 14, I read John Pilger’s A Secret Country in which he wrote about Eddie Murray, a young Koori man who was killed in police custody.

After completing my LLB in Australian Indigenous Law, I worked with the Aboriginal Legal Service, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Indigenous Justice Program and the New Zealand Public Defence Service. I am now a lawyer in the Indictable Section at Central Sydney.

Reconciliation is about day-to-day understanding and acknowledgment of the different perspectives from which we all come. For me it is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Peoples, with generations of culture, language and connection to land and generations of prejudice, disadvantage and inequality inflicted by those who invaded Australia. With the cultural and linguistic diversity of our colleagues and clients, we must acknowledge that we are encumbered with our own cultural values and beliefs.

The journey of learning and developing this understanding is lifelong. Whether you’re part of the Reconciliation Champions Network or not, you too can be a champion for reconciliation. Whether you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or not, you can share your own experience with your colleagues as a step towards greater understanding and arguably better outcomes for our clients. I share with my colleagues what I’ve learnt from my childhood and professional experiences. I rely upon this to

I became a lawyer because at age 14, I read John Pilger’s A Secret Country in which he wrote about Eddie Murray, a young Koori man who was killed in police custody.

“


develop positive professional relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, families and communities I work with and use this understanding to advocate on behalf of the people I represent, in and out of court.

Reconciliation also represents working in a partnership to overcome barriers that exist, without prejudice and assimilation. Some of the staff responses to the recent survey about the Legal Aid NSW Reconciliation Action Plan suggest we have a long way to go to achieve this.

I’ll leave you with a whakatauākī (Māori proverb) I was taught nearly 20 years ago. For me it is an aspiration, a motivator and a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together through reconciliation.

Ko tou rourou Ko taku rourouKa ora ra te iwi eYour knowledge (food basket) With my knowledge (food basket) There lies wellbeing for the people

RelationshipsStrong relationships with

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander communities and peak

community organisations has

been the cornerstone on which the

success of our RAP has been built.

It is only through true partnership

that Legal Aid NSW can deliver

services that are responsive to the

legal needs of those communities

because they know what their

issues are and what is needed to

address them. Within this, Legal

Aid NSW is particularly proud of

our close working relationship

with the Aboriginal Legal Service

(NSW/ACT) Ltd who remain the

primary provider of criminal legal

representation for Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples

in NSW.

Focus AreaBuild and maintain key internal and external relationships to ensure a coordinated delivery of legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


Action Who Timeline Targets1.1 RAP Working Group

(RWG) actively monitors the development and implementation of Legal Aid NSW’s RAP.

Deputy CEO June 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• RWG oversees the development, endorsement and launch of the RAP

• RWG to meet at least four times a year to monitor and report on the RAP implementation

1.2 RAP Champions Network to engage both internally and externally to promote the Legal Aid NSW RAP 2015-2018.

Director, Aboriginal Services

June 2016

June 2016, 2017, 2018

June 2016, 2017, 2018

• RAP Champions Network to partner with Aboriginal Staff Network to promote the RAP at all Legal Aid NSW offices via a presentation through Team/Office meetings

• RAP Champions Network invited to participate in Legal Aid NSW’s major community events such as NAIDOC week, National Reconciliation Week, Yabun Festival, Ella 7’s and Rugby League Knockout

• RAP Champions Network to meet twice per year, including one joint meeting with the Aboriginal Staff Network

1.3 Celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) by providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and other employees to build relationships.

RAP Working Group 27 May – 3 June 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Official Legal Aid NSW event to be held at Sydney Central office every year with live streaming to at least five metropolitan and regional offices hosting concurrent events

• Organise three NRW events each year (including Sorry Day event, official event and topical event)

• All NRW events to be registered on the Reconciliation Australia website

• Metropolitan and regional offices to be provided with information regarding participation in local NRW events

Relationships


1.4 Develop and implement a new Statement of Commitment with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd (ALS) to govern our partnership in delivering coordinated and effective legal representation across the state.

Deputy CEO


July 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Launch a new two year Statement of Commitment

• Participate in Care and Protection Reforms in regard to the placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their interaction with the Care and Protection system

1.5 Strengthen partnerships with legal networks and broaden membership throughout Legal Aid NSW.


June 2017 • Legal Aid NSW will actively engage, participate and increase membership with the following legal networks:

� Ngalaya Aboriginal Lawyers Corporation

� NSW Law Society Indigenous Legal Issues Committee

� NSW Bar Association

• Investigate becoming a member of the Legal and Professional Services Reconciliation Industry Network Group

• Active participation in other committees

1.6 Continue close working relationships with Community Legal Centres to ensure we provide a coordinated approach in our respective services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.


June 2017 • Continued engagement with Aboriginal Legal Access Program at CLC’s, including participation in the Aboriginal Staff Network for Legal Aid NSW’s funded position at Port Macquarie

• ALAP Coordinator maintains membership of Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Justice Committee

• Legal Aid NSW maintains membership on Tenants Union Aboriginal Advisory Committee

Action Who Timeline Targets

Relationships


1.7 Strengthen partnerships with key agencies to deliver services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.


June 2017

December 2015

• Actively participate in the Aboriginal Justice Cluster Committee

• Strengthen partnerships with Centrelink, Births, Deaths and Marriages and Justice NSW

• Establish partnership with Department of Education (Connected Communities, school hubs, AECG) to focus attention on literacy programs and link services with them

1.8 Ensure the use of the Aboriginal Services unit as both the first point of contact and a source of knowledge and expertise in developing and delivering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Executive June 2016, 2017, 2018

• Ensure each new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service initiative and recruitment has ASU involvement from the beginning

• Hold bi-annual Aboriginal Staff Network Meetings

1.9 Explore opportunities to develop Health and Justice partnerships.


June 2016, 2017, 2018

• Scope and engage with State and Commonwealth health and justice agencies

• Identify at least one high need area and establish partnership each year

1.10 Explore opportunities to support Tranby College in developing and delivering courses/topics relating to the delivery of legal services.


June 2016 • Scope and develop a business case to engage with Tranby College to explore opportunities for training


Relationships


Ensuring that services are

delivered in a culturally sensitive

manner is vital to their success.

Understanding of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultures,

particularly as it relates to family

and community structures and

communication ensures that Legal

Aid NSW clients are represented in

a respectful manner that addresses

their needs.

Focus AreaAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training and Services.

Respect


Action Who Timeline Targets2.1 Increase knowledge of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements.


June 2016, 2017, 2018

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning strategy tailored to the specific needs of staff in different areas of our organisation

• Develop a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency model

• 150 staff to undertake cultural awareness training each year of the RAP

• All Directors to attend and promote the importance of cultural awareness to staff

2.2 Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols into daily operations of Legal Aid NSW.


June 2016

June 2016, 2017, 2018

June 2018

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocol document

• Invite custodians of the land to provide a Welcome to Country for at least five Legal Aid NSW events each year

• An Acknowledgement of Country to be included at all other public events

• Develop a list of key contacts for organising a Welcome to Country

• Include an Acknowledgement of Country on the agenda for all staff meetings

• Create and display an Acknowledgement of Country plaque at all 23 Legal Aid NSW offices following local community engagement

Respect


2.3 Ensure Legal Aid NSW has culturally safe workplace practices and working environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and clients.


Communications Unit

June 2018

June 2016

• Consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to evaluate the cultural appropriateness of workplace practices

• Include a column on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in each edition of the staff newsletter Verbals

2.4 Arrange for guest speakers to discuss issues across practice areas.


June 2016, 2017, 2018

• Collaborate with ALS to identify new and emerging issues for legal representation across the state

• Engage with practice areas (Civil, Family and Crime) to identify training needs and opportunities

• Provide one Mandatory Continuing Legal Education session per practice area

• Hold three internal events in addition to NAIDOC / National Reconciliation Week

2.5 Join the ‘Racism: It Stops with Me’ campaign.


December 2015

• Contact the Australian Human Rights Commission to find out how Legal Aid NSW can participate in the campaign

• Amend Code of Conduct to reflect that Legal Aid NSW has zero tolerance to racism

• Develop a statement regarding Legal Aid NSW’s zero tolerance to racism in the induction process for new employees


Respect


2.6 Celebrate NAIDOC Week each year.


Communications Unit

June 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

• Official Legal Aid NSW NAIDOC event held at Sydney Central office every year

• Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to participate in Legal Aid NSW’s NAIDOC Week celebrations

• Provide opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to engage with their culture and participate in NAIDOC Week events

• Review POD policies to ensure there are no barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate in NAIDOC Week

• Staff at metropolitan and regional offices to be provided with information and encouraged to participate in local NAIDOC Week events

2.7 Raise Legal Aid NSW profile and presence at major Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community events and celebrations.

All staff


June 2016, 2017, 2018

• Attendance at major community events including:

� Rugby League Knockout � Yabun Festival � Ella 7’s � National Reconciliation Week

NAIDOC week

• Legal Aid NSW represented at major community events each year

• Expression of Interest for all staff to participate in Legal Aid NSW presence


Respect


It is vital that Legal Aid NSW

has a workforce that is diverse

and represents our client base.

Research commissioned by

Legal Aid NSW has shown that to

increase access to our services

for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples, we need a

workforce that reflects this client

base. Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander employees often bring

a wealth of knowledge regarding

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

culture which further enhances our

culturally sensitive services

and workplace.

Focus AreaIncrease Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment through targeted recruitment strategies, while ensuring professional development and career pathways are provided for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Opportunities


Action Who Timeline Targets3.1 Improve Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander employment outcomes.

Executive


People & Organisational Development (POD)

June 2016

June 2016

June 2018

June 2018

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and retention strategy

• Increase employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at Legal Aid NSW to 6% (From 50 to 60 staff based on 2015 employee numbers)

• Increase the number of ongoing roles specific for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Increase number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in senior roles by at least three positions across the organisation. (Increase those in Legal Officer IV grade and/or Clerk 7/8 grade upwards)

• Advertise job vacancies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media including Koori Mail, National Indigenous Times, Our Mob, University Indigenous law centres and/or law faculties

• Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in offices located in areas of high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations

• Monitor the effects and changes of the Government Sector Employment Act on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment and retention

Opportunities


3.2 Provide professional development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

POD


December 2016

December 2016, 2017, 2018

• Maintain Chairperson’s Scholarship Award to provide financial assistance for ongoing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to pursue professional development through further study

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff with job applications, the interview process and individual planning with targeted training throughout the year. This may include at the Aboriginal Staff Network Meetings held twice a year and with staff from the Aboriginal Services Unit

• Provide opportunities for at least three Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to engage in further education each year

• Provide opportunities for at least three Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to attend the annual National Indigenous Legal Conference

3.3 Continue Judge Bob Bellear Pathways to Legal Careers Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and graduates.

POD


June 2017 • Four Scholarships for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander secondary students will be awarded every two years

• Four Cadetships for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students to be maintained each year

• Two positions to be allocated for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduates into the Aboriginal Professional Legal Placement Program each year

• Two positions into the Career Development Program for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduates


Opportunities


3.4 Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supply diversity.


Director, Operations Support

June 2017 • Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement strategy

• Investigate involvement with Supply Nation

• Procure $50,000 worth of goods and services from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned businesses

• Develop a commercial relationship with at least five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses each year

• Utilise NSW Government Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander procurement portal via NSW Procurement

• Engage with business to raise awareness of portal and how they can be registered

• Ensure where applicable items are purchased from these registered suppliers & update our procurement policies to encourage the use of these catalogues/suppliers as well

3.5 Explore opportunities to foster better practices to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in a community setting.


June 2016 • Engage with three local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities to identify feasibility of project

• Provide three opportunities for staff to meet the community to consult on how to improve on current practice


Opportunities


3.6 Advocate for the improvement of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.


June 2016 • Advocate for Post Release transport assistance in regional and remote NSW

• Prepare a research paper identifying solutions and priority locations where transport assistance is needed

• Establish a New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum sub-committee to provide a coordinated response to the issue


3.7 Investigate opportunities for Legal Aid NSW to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

Director, Family Law

Director, Civil Law


June 2017

June 2016

June 2016

• Maintain Care & Protection Lawyers and additional Care & Protection Field Officers placed at ALS offices in agreed locations

• Maintain Work & Development Order Aboriginal Field Officers at ALS offices

• Maintain Aboriginal Civil and Family Law Field Officers in Nowra, Walgett and Coffs Harbour

• Develop and implement a revised data reporting framework

• Explore alternative funding options

• Scope feasibility of expanding Aboriginal Field Officers (Civil and Family Law) to three new priority locations

• Expand legal assistance outreach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in regional, rural and remote areas through our external partnerships with Regional Outreach Clinic Program (ROCP), Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD), ALS and Aboriginal Field Officers

Opportunities


3.7 Cont.

June 2016

• Increase legal assistance outreach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 5% each year from current base of 31 regular outreach locations

• Maintain the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities, through outreach in priority locations & Aboriginal specific phone service

• Expand the reach of the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities to include outreach on the South Coast and additional outreach in Central and Far West NSW

• Develop an in-house financial counselling service for priority locations as part of the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities

3.8 Improve referral processes between Legal Aid NSW and external service providers.

Deputy CEO June 2017 • Maintain referrals between the ALS and Legal Aid NSW in recognition of the ALS “serious disruption to community” policy

• Establish data reporting framework for referrals

• High level mapping of referrals

• Provide specific information regarding Aboriginal service providers; in particular Health/Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services, Housing, Community/Family services in divisional specific induction and conferences


Opportunities


3.9 Investigate preventative strategies to reduce the representation of incarcerated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Deputy CEO


June 2017 • In partnership with the ALS investigate strategies to address the increasing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the prison/juvenile detention systems

• Explore opportunities to address the significant increase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in custody and juvenile detention rates

• Support ALS sentencing work

• Identify issues for community legal education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the practice areas

• Conduct an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community legal education planning day for staff

• Develop a coordinated community legal education program in order to ensure complex legal needs are being addressed across the three practice areas of crime, family and civil

• Review our Family Law Early Intervention Services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to ensure we are meeting service delivery gaps


Opportunities


Action Who Timeline Targets4.1 Embed RAP initiatives into the

core business of Legal Aid NSW.

Executive


June 2016 • Incorporate RAP actions in Divisional Plans and Individual Plans where appropriate

4.2 Report on progress to internal and external stakeholders.


June & December 2016, 2017, 2018

• Develop and implement reporting mechanisms

• RWG to present RAP progress to the Board six monthly every year

• Investigate reporting publically on RAP achievements

4.3 Report achievements, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia.


September 2016, 2017, 2018

• Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually

4.4 Refresh and develop a new RAP based on key learnings and achievements.

Chair, RWG June 2018 • Refresh and update Legal Aid NSW’s RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements of the RAP

• Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for review and formal endorsement

Tracking Progress and Reporting


Contact UsDirector, Aborignal Services

Central SydneyGround Floor,323 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

PO Box K847, Haymarket 1238 DX 5 Sydney

Tel: (02) 9219 5109

TTY: (02) 9219 5126

Email: [email protected]

AECG Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

ALAP Aboriginal Legal Access Program

ALS Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Ltd

ASU Aboriginal Services Unit

CLC Community Legal Centres

CLSD Cooperative Legal Service Delivery

NRW National Reconciliation Week

POD People & Organisational Development

RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

ROCP Regional Outreach Clinic Program

RWG Reconciliation Working Group

SPP&CP Strategic Policy and Planning and Community Partnerships

Graphic Design by Charmaine Mumbulla

Shortened Forms


www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au

legal aid nsw reconciliation action plan 2015-2018 · 2015-09-30 · 2 legal aid nsw reconciliation...

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