Terry, John --- "New Training Program for Field Officers" [1981] AboriginalLawB 33; (1981) 1(2) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 9

• New Training Program For Field Officers

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New Training Program for Field Officers

by John Terry

Over a six month period during 1982, the University of NSW will offer a unique course, one designed for people other than lawyers who wish to work in legal services. The 1982 pilot course will cater for those currently employed (or with the immediate prospect of employment) as field officers with Aboriginal Legal Services and related Aboriginal organisations in New South Wales. It is anticipated that about fifteen people will undertake the course which will be offered as part of the University's Continuing Education Programme under the aegis of the Faculty of Law.

Having been appointed full-time director of the programme, I have responsibility for establishing the course, the content and design of which will be supervised by a board set up by the Faculty. I will have a major role inninning the course and in co-ordinating the contributions from instructors drawn from various faculties within the University, from government departments and other agencies.

The funding for the course has been made available by the Commonwealth Government through its Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Course participants will be paid under the National Employment and Training (N.E.A.T.) Scheme.

Field officers are employed in Aboriginal Legal Services throughout Australia and their role is pivotal. They provide the link between the Aboriginal community from which the clients are drawn and the lawyers employed to provide advice and representation in court. They are also called upon to deal with difficulties that may arise for example, with Police, schools, hospitals, shop-keepers and hoteliers. A field officer's varied work requires a range of skills as well as the ability to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

At its least ambitious, the programme will provide participants with the skills needed to enable them, on speaking with a client, to elicit the facts and decide whether the problem has a solution provided by the law. If it is such a problem, the aim will be to enable the participants to take clear instructions so a lawyer can later deal with the legal issues. If the problem is not a `legal' one, the field officers will gain experience in dealing with the matter themselves, or in making appropriate referrals. The course aims to provide education for those employed in delivering as comprehensive 'a legal service as possible to clients who are often disadvantaged by physical or cultural isolation.

The course breaks new ground in teaching about the law and in demonstrating the government's determination to provide adequate legal assistance through the training of Aboriginal people. The concept is exciting in its potential.