Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department

The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department has partnered with UNE Partnerships in tailoring its Diploma of Practice Management customised for Law Firms.

The pilot group comprises 13 Coordinators from Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, who are located in rural and remote communities across Australia.

Tailored workshops

The first of three workshops was held over three days in early August at the University of New England’s Oorala Centre. In consultation with the client, UNE Partnerships has developed the program delivery to ensure direct alignment with the operational framework of the Attorney-General’s Department. It is the first time the Department has taken such an approach to training that provides its Coordinators with a professional program in a university setting.

The workshop format provides the group with valuable professional development and the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification. For many in the group this was the first time in many years that they had undertaken any formal study. The workshops allowed the group to discuss expectations and also allowed them to openly raise common issues in a supportive learning environment.

Sharon Brown from Broken Hill said “The workshop put me in the right frame of mind to start the course. The presenters helped put everything in perspective and they were able to impart a large amount of information to us in an enjoyable way which made it easy for us to cope with.”

The outcomes

The program is designed to place the providers of the Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Legal Service in a better position, by strengthening the Coordinators’ skills and developing a more structured framework from which they can operate.

The Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of the Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, responsible for budgeting and managing legal staff and counsellors. Each Coordinator has their own area of specialty but this program will bring everyone to the same level, developing a more consistent and systematic approach for individual legal units across the country.

It will ensure that there is functional service delivery that is consistent with the Operational Framework that fits within the guidelines set down by the Attorney General’s Department.
The aim is to inspire and motivate participants and achieve positive long term outcomes in the workplace.