Presentation Transcript

1. Youthlaw Online (and other adventures)Annie Davis – Outreach Lawyer
2. Who are we and what do we do? A free community legal centre for young people up to the age of 25 We provide information, advice, casework, court representation, policy and legal education
3. Youthlaw Online Commenced in 2009 Developed in partnership with a number of different youth services statewide http://youthlaw.asn.au/services/youthlaw-online-via-skype/
4. How it works Young people can link up with a lawyer on Skype from their local youth service and get free information and advice. Staff at the host service can check if Youthlaw lawyers are available for drop-in sessions or appointments by using a shared Google calendar.
5. The challenges Privacy and information sharing Fear of new technology Limits on facilities, resources and bandwidth Remoteness and lack of personal connection
6. How we responded Consultation with staff and young people Memorandums of understanding with host sites User guides and training for host sites Sourcing of free equipment Changing software if it didn’t suit our needs or the host site’s needs Close collaboration with youth workers and other support staff at the Youthlaw Online host sites Greater responsiveness and flexibility (eg offering phone advice or facilitating in person advice if a young person prefers)
7. Other online engagement initiatives Joined Facebook and Twitter in 2012 Launch of new Youthlaw website in 2012, greater integration with social media pages Community Legal Education projects with online/social media components: Street Law series of Youtubevideos: www.youthlaw.asn.au/street-law Online training video series for workers www.youthlaw.asn.au/for-youth-workers/training-materials/
8. Coming up: ‘Street Law for Mobile’ website – will function much like an app with bite-sized, easier-to-navigate legal information for young people available on their smartphones (due for release in June 2014) Youthlaw blogging project
9. The benefits We can reach more young people and workers We can do more with less We can be more responsive to young people’s needs We can raise our profile It’s fun !
10. For more information Youthlaw website: www.youthlaw.asn.au Or contact: Annie Davis annie@youthlaw.asn.au Ph: 9611 2433