Slater and Gordon is celebrating the 15th anniversary of becoming the first Australian law firm to provide a free social work service for clients in crisis.
Since May 4, 2009, almost 5000 clients have received much-needed psycho-social assistance from the social work service to address many of the common emotional and social consequences of injury and illness.
Olga Gountras, Slater and Gordon’s National Manager of Social Work Services, said the aim of the service was to help clients when they did not know where to turn, were in financial or emotional distress, facing issues such as homelessness and/or experiencing difficulties accessing care, treatment and support services in the community.
“Every client who comes to our firm wants help to regain control of a life thrown into turmoil, as the pressures created are felt well beyond any legal claim or courtroom,” Ms Gountras said.
“As experienced social workers, we’re trained in assessing clients’ practical and emotional needs and tapping into services and networks that can assist them. This includes connecting them with housing services, a mental health practitioner, finding a financial counsellor or helping them or their GP put in an insurance request.”
Over the 15 years, the team has expanded to four social workers who assist clients Australia wide. They also provide expert advice to the firm’s legal staff to ensure clients continue to receive the support they need throughout and beyond the duration of their compensation claims.
The team also holds free legal education webinars for social workers across the country to help educate them about different areas of law and advise them of their clients’ potential legal rights and entitlements.
“Our team has achieved a lot since 2009 and we look forward to continuing to make a difference to the lives of many of the firm’s clients, while also making the law and our lawyers accessible to the social work community,” Ms Gountras said.
Slater and Gordon CEO Dina Tutungi said having a team of in-house social workers had been vital for connecting clients with critical support services many did not know they were entitled to or existed.
“Ready access to support and the resources needed to move forward in life are integral to accessing justice”, Ms Tutungi said.
“We’re incredibly proud of the fact that we were the first Australian law firm to appoint a social worker to provide a free service to our clients, and we are privileged to now have a team of social workers providing invaluable support that helps improve our clients’ wellbeing while their legal issues are being addressed.”
Key Facts:
Slater and Gordon is celebrating the 15th anniversary of becoming the first Australian law firm to provide a free social work service for clients in crisis.
Since May 4, 2009, almost 5000 clients have received much-needed psycho-social assistance from the social work service to address many of the common emotional and social consequences of injury and illness.
The service also holds free legal education webinars for social workers across the country to help educate them about different areas of law and advise them of their clients’ potential legal rights and entitlements.
Slater and Gordon CEO Dina Tutungi said: “Ready access to support and the resources needed to move forward in life are integral to accessing justice.
“We’re incredibly proud of the fact that we were the first Australian law firm to appoint a social worker to provide a free service to our clients, and we are privileged to now have a team of social workers providing invaluable support that helps improve our clients’ wellbeing while their legal issues are being addressed.”
Contact details:
Andrea Petrie 0428 994 937
andrea.petrie@slatergordon.com.au
