Gladue Report Writer

Request for Services: Gladue Report Writer - Contractor

BCFNJC issues this Request for Services to identify and secure fee for service Gladue Report Writers to join BCFNJC’s Gladue Report Writer Roster as independent contractors.

Background about the BCFNJC

Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.

Scope of Services

To respond to the increasing demand for Gladue Reports across the province, BCFNJC has decided to reopen its Gladue Report Writer Roster to supplement the work of our Staff Gladue Report Writers. We are seeking to recruit Roster Writers who share our vision who will work with us on a fee / product contract basis.

Remuneration:

• $1500 flat rate/Gladue Letter
• $1800 flat rate/Gladue Report

Location: home-based

Overview of the BCFNJC Gladue Report Roster

Gladue Report Writers on BCFNJC’s Roster will complete Gladue Reports and/or Letters from start to finish including the construction of the healing plans. The writer will prepare a Gladue Report and/or Letter for the court that gives a comprehensive picture of the life circumstances, background factors and systemic barriers of the Indigenous person's life that played a part in bringing them before the courts.

Gladue Report Writer on the Roster will schedule and conduct interviews with the accused, their family members, and other people who know the accused. They will conduct interviews to gather information required to prepare a high-quality Gladue report and/or Letter. Gladue Report Writers on the Roster liaise with service providers and community resources to prepare a well-organized healing plan.

BCFNJC’s Gladue Services Department will provide an initial two weeks of training for selected service providers as well as mentorship through the development of initial Gladue Reports and/or Letters.

Gladue Report Writers will be assigned Gladue Reports and/or Gladue Letters by the BCFNJC Gladue Services Department. As contractors, Roster Writers will have the ability to accept or decline assignments depending on their availability. Once accepted, the assigned letter/report must be completed by the deadline. There is an expectation that Gladue Reports and/or Letters will be completed with regularity and in adherence to deadlines and a quarterly schedule.

At times, you may be exposed to sensitive and traumatic information which may be difficult to hear or process.

Contract Gladue Report Writers on the Roster will be expected to sign a Professional Services Agreement that includes strict confidentiality of the personal information and identities of those contacted. Selection for the BCFNJC’s Roster is not a guarantee of any frequency of Letter or Report assignment.

Gladue Writers on the BCFNJC’s Roster are independent contractors. They will provide their own computer, phone, vehicle and other tools required to provide the contracted service. They will not be provided with a workspace. On occasion when a person served by the roster writer request an in-person interview in a city where BCFNJC has an Indigenous Justice Centre, arrangements can often be made for an interview space to be made available for the duration of the interview.

Detailed Scope of Services

Complete the two-week BCFNJC Gladue Writer training sessions, unless, at the discretion of BCFNJC, this requirement is waived. Note a one-time fee of $1500 will be paid upon completion of the training program and the first successful completion of a Gladue Report or Letter.

Receive Gladue Report or Gladue Letter assignments and respond in a timely way to accept or reject assignments.

Once accepted, take on carriage of the Gladue Report or Gladue Letter within the assigned timeframe including:

• Schedule interviews with clients and collaterals, in a variety of locations, to prepare, research, and write the Gladue Report and/or Letter.
• Conduct interviews using a set of predetermined questions to create a clear understanding of interactions between the interviewer and the client and/or collaterals.
• Liaise with Indigenous and non-Indigenous resources/service providers to prepare a well-organized healing plan for all clients.
• Copy-edit reports before they are submitted for external legal review.
• Prepare and submit all Gladue Reports and/or Letters as required
• Participate in the legal review and finalization process including responding to deficiencies in the report or letter.
• Attend periodic BCFNJC Roster Writer meetings organized for training and updates.

Writers on the Roster are expected to:

• Develop and maintain knowledge of the local Indigenous culture, communities, history, along with important local and regional issues important to Indigenous communities in the region.
• Develop and maintain knowledge regarding community resources (Indigenous & non-Indigenous) available to offenders in British Columbia and the community you work in.
• Collaborate with appropriate community resources to develop ways to meet the identified needs of the client.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with justice personnel (judges, defence lawyer, crown attorney, RCMP) to produce Gladue Reports and/or Letters.
• Keep well-informed of issues, information and education related to the Gladue reporting.
• Adhere to professional guidelines concerning client confidentiality
• Adhere to completion deadlines set out by the BCFNJC Gladue Services Department.
• Work with families and other community groups as required.
• Participate in BCFNJC quality control, evaluation or data collection in relation to assigned Reports or Letters

Outcomes and Deliverables

Produce Gladue Report, which typically average (10 to 15 pages) within the allotted timeframe (4-8 weeks) that follows BCFNJC’s Report Template, includes all of the required components and meets quality and service standards.

Produce Gladue Letters which typically average (5 to 10 pages) within the allotted timeframe (4-6 weeks) that follows BCFNJC’s Report Template, includes all the required components and meets quality and service standards.

Technical experience and education required

• Demonstrated exceptional writing skills
• College or University education in social work, law, corrections, mental health or related field, or a combination of experience and other academic qualifications will also be considered
• Experience working with Indigenous peoples and knowledge of Indigenous culture and traditions.
• Experience with trauma-informed interviewing skills.
• high level of social facilitation and mediation
• independent analysis and problem-solving
• case management and supervision
• Knowledge of the R. v. Gladue case and related court decisions regarding Indigenous offenders.
• Knowledge of the history of colonization on Indigenous peoples in Canada/British Columbia.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy, patience and understanding to build good working relationships with clients who may be initially hostile.
• Demonstrated ability to assess situations based on individual client’s needs, family needs, program needs, agency policy and Correctional guidelines (e.g., duty to report).
• Compassionate, caring, patient and able to work well with others.
• Ability to be respectful, non-judgmental and committed to supporting people in difficult circumstances.
• Ability to meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to travel throughout the province, which includes but not limited to travel between work and the detention centers in the region (by car, taxi, uber, public transit).
• Ability to accommodate interview schedules based on the needs of the client, their family members or others who know the client.
• Resilient, assertive and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Effective communication and listening skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications, including MSWord, Teams, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Clear Criminal Record Check required (RCMP – Working with Vulnerable Sector).

Submission Instructions

Submit your application online through our BCFNJC Careers page.

Submissions should include:

• A summary of the person’s interest, skills and experience that demonstrate that they meet the mandatory requirements
• A personal statement detailing any relevant lived experience, cultural knowledge, or knowledge about First Nations culture and history in BC.
• A curriculum vitae detailing the person’s education, job experience and life experience
• A writing sample (formal or academic writing done in any context that is a good example of the person’s writing ability)
• Three references

BCFNJC reserves the right to accept submissions that do not conform to this format including resumes and cover letters received for Gladue Writer staff positions.

Evaluation of Submissions

All submissions will be reviewed against the mandatory requirements and the desired qualifications. Interviews will be conducted with those who exceed the mandatory requirements, at the discretion of BCFNJC.

Selection timeline

Gladue Report Writers responding to this request for services will be assessed on an ongoing basis until the Roster capacity has been reached.