Corporate Plan
Our Vision
To provide quality legal assistance to people in South Australia.
Our Goals
To provide clients with accessible information, advice and representation to meet their legal needs.
- To work in partnership with other members of the legal community to deliver to our clients equitable access to the justice system.
- To provide a safe, healthy, rewarding, satisfying work environment.
- To provide quality legal assistance efficiently and effectively.
- To satisfy the community that we fulfil our statutory and contractual obligations and are deserving of ongoing financial support.
- To provide timely research and advice on legal issues to the government and the community.
- To inform governments of the likely impact on the Legal Services Commission and the community of proposed changes to legislation and policy.
We Believe
- In the rule of law
- People matter
- Our clients are entitled to be fairly treated
- Integrity and quality are important
- Our staff are valuable
- We deliver an essential service
- Cost efficiency matters
- Accountability is necessary
- Change for beneficial purposes is desirable
Key Result Areas
1. CLIENTS
1.1 IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Increase specialised outreach services to disadvantaged groups who have a barrier to legal assistance due to economic disadvantage, disability, language, culture, distance, incarceration or other factors.
- Investigate an increase in duty solicitor services to increase access to legal assistance for clients and with a view to minimising the number of unrepresented litigants, reducing remands in custody and reducing adjournments.
- Pursue opportunities to implement and publicise an effective civil legal aid program to increase access to legal assistance in the civil jurisdictions with a view to minimising the number of unrepresented litigants.
1.2 IMPROVE SATISFACTION WITH SERVICES
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Pursue opportunities to inform the public on the services provided by The Legal Services Commission.
- Increase the exposure of politicians to the effect on clients of legislative changes.
- Participate in the development and implementation of the Justice Reform Agenda whilst retaining the independence of the Legal Services Commission.
- Constantly review services to improve client satisfaction, including access requirements and application forms.
2. STAFF
2.1 IMPROVE HUMAN RESOURCES
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Increased ability to deliver quality services through effective human resource management.
- Provide a satisfying and challenging career environment for staff.
- Develop a staff appraisal and career development mechanism for in-house practitioners with a view to improving output standards.
2.2 IMPROVE SECURITY
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Ensure the Commission offices are maintained as a secure and clean environment.
3. SERVICES
3.1 IMPROVE COST EFFECTIVENESS
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Pursue opportunities to ensure that we support nationally competitive unit costs.
- Pursue opportunities to ensure that a greater proportion of funds are spent on client services rather than overheads and indirect costs.
3.2 IMPROVE OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Ensure output targets are appropriately determined.
- Investigate reporting requirements to ensure maximum efficiencies.
- Ensure that as far as possible the number of State and C/W services delivered equal or exceed output targets.
3.3 IMPROVE SERVICE STANDARDS
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Develop standards for the delivery of services and compliance monitoring processes.
- Develop standards for measuring our reporting performance against delivery of services.
4. FINANCE
4.1 IMPROVE/SECURE ADEQUATE FUNDING
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Maintain the current value of funding and secure additional predictable funding to meet emerging demand and avoid service cuts.
4.2 IMPROVE FINANCIAL PLANS AND BUDGETS
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Implement programs to maintain sufficient payments to private practitioners to ensure retention of services.
- Regularly monitor performance across all financial budgets.
5. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AWARENESS
5.1 GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC SECTOR
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Inform relevant policy and legislation makers of the consequences to the Commission of under-funded agencies.
- Investigate programs to ensure recognition by funders of the importance of legal aid funding to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice system.
5.2 COMMUNITY SECTOR
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Maintain staff participation at community forums and involvement with community organisations.
6. LEADERSHIP
6.1 PROVIDE INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Instigate appropriate changes to empowering legislation to ensure the optimum delivery of legal assistance.
- Continuous research and review of client needs and appropriate service delivery to meet those needs.
6.2 IMPROVE CHANGE MANAGEMENT
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Maintain minimal disruption to service delivery when change is implemented.
7. STRATEGY AND PLANNING PROCESS
7.1 IMPROVE CORPORATE PLANNING
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Continue to implement, monitor and develop the priorities identified in the Corporate Plan.
7.2 MAXIMISE TECHNOLOGY GAINS
- KEY PROGRAMS / PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
What we want to achieve
- Optimise the effective use of information and technology.
- Strive to reduce operating overheads and improve services.
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