Volunteer Intake Officers: Information for new and current volunteers

When you first start at RLC

Welcome to RLC as a new intake volunteer! Here are a few details about working with us.

Volunteer Intake Officers are the first point of contact for members of the public who need legal help. So your role is vital and we cannot function without you. You work out how we can help people, and you arrange for that help to occur. You also provide some support to people at a time of crisis.

Your first shift, what to bring, dress code

There is no specific dress code. We want you to feel comfortable here. Formal clothing is not necessary, but this is a professional workplace so please dress for the office (not for the beach or the gym!). Wear what you would wear if you work at a law firm. As a guide, some things that are not appropriate include activewear and beachwear, cut-outs, visible undergarments, torn jeans or other clothing, old/worn t-shirts and thongs.

On your first day, please show up at the front office on time and let the supervisor know it is your first shift. (There is no gain in coming early, as the office will be closed). You do not need to prepare or bring anything (except for any training we might have asked you to complete at home).

We have a lunchroom with a fridge, microwave and coffee and tea, which you are most welcome to use.

Looking forward to working with you at RLC!

Rosters and shifts

Being here for the whole shift is essential.

Shift times: 9.45am-12.45pm and 1.45pm-4.15pm, except Friday afternoon there is no shift. Please check emails from RLC in case we have varied this.

Dates RLC is closed (put in your diary now if your shift is affected!):

RLC closes on all public holidays, including Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, June King's Birthday Monday, and the October long weekend Monday.
We close for approximately two weeks over Christmas-New Year, including all public holidays.

Communication and apologies

Your first point of contact is Nick Manning, Intake Manager, whose email is: volunteering AT rlc.org.au. Nick manages the Intake Team and compiles the roster. If you need to miss a shift for any reason, or make any changes to your rostering, please email him (or talk to him in the office).

Phone: Please add our Admin/Professional phone number to your contacts: (02) 8037 8001. This number is answered at times when the general public number is not, so it is your best number for RLC.

Apologies (when you can't attend your rostered shift): We understand that you need to miss shifts for study and exams, holidays and illnesses. We never require a medical certificate. All we ask is as much advance notice as possible. Email is preferred:

Apologies: Email to Nick: volunteering AT rlc.org.au
Late notes: If you are just running late, please email intake AT rlc.org.au so your shift supervisor sees it.

Training

RLC provides extensive training for the role. You will do most of the training during your normal shifts at RLC. We might ask you to complete some initial online training at home before your first day at Redfern - if so, details will be in an email sent to you one or two weeks ahead of your start date.

Your wellbeing

RLC works for the wellbeing of our clients, while aiming to maintain and enhance the wellbeing of our staff and volunteers.

Prayer and meditation breaks during shifts: It is OK to take breaks for prayer or meditation. Ask your Supervisor if a private room is available. And thanks to one of our ex-volunteers for donating the prayer mat which you are welcome to borrow!

Concerns, feedback and complaints: At any time if you have questions, concerns or complaints about anything at RLC, feel free to speak to any of these staff if you wish:

Your shift supervisor
Intake Manager
Principal Solicitor
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
CEO.

Can intake volunteering count towards PLT requirements?

RLC’s policy is that intake volunteering cannot count towards PLT hours. This is because the structure of intake volunteering is inconsistent with a number of PLT requirements, depending on the college in question, including:

intake shifts are sometimes only 3 hours per day
intake supervision is by multiple paid and volunteer staff who are not lawyers
the nature of intake work does not fully meet the range and level of work that a PLT requires.

References

RLC will happily assist you with the following:

If you have volunteered at RLC for less than 12 full-day shifts: We will provide a standard written statement confirming that you began and finished as a Volunteer Intake Officer on the relevant dates.
If you have volunteered at RLC for 12 full-day shifts or more: We will write a personalised written reference and will act as a referee. Written references should be requested within 3 months of finishing your intake volunteer role.