The expansion is thanks to a significant funding boost from the Commonwealth Government and represents another growth phase for the leading community legal service
The extra funding has been allocated for 2021-22 from the Federal Government’s National Legal Assistance Partnership which supports the delivery of legal assistance services to disadvantaged Australians, particularly people experiencing family violence and mental health conditions.
The additional resources will enable Ruah to expand its innovative legal services and grow its specialist legal team. The organisation is currently recruiting for three new family law practitioners.
In the two years since Ruah Community Services and the Mental Health Law Centre merged, Ruah has taken bold strides to establish a truly integrated, end-to-end support service for clients.
While many Community Legal Centres offer discrete legal advice and information, Ruah is one of the first to bring together qualified lawyers, paralegals and community workers in a seamless, multidisciplined approach that ranges from advice, early intervention and advocacy, to representation in court, and referral to other services for ongoing care and support.