Child Protection
Support in matters involving children and the Department of Communities.
We offer culturally safe legal support in child protection matters and can guide you through conversations with the Department of Communities.
If you already have a court case in progress, we can assist you to appear in court and tell the magistrate your story.
Our support in children protection matters include:
- Liaising with the Department of Communities
- General care and protection proceedings
- Pre-court and post-court matters
- Signs of Safety Meetings
- Care Plan meetings and negotiations
- Reunification and negotiations
- Advice on parent/family members’ rights concerning contact with children
- Advice on carers’ rights
Understanding Child Protection
In WA, the Department of Communities (sometimes known as the “DCP” or “The Welfare”) has the power to investigate any concerns about child risk or welfare both before and after birth. After the Department has investigated, it will decide what steps must be taken to improve the safety and care of your children. Where possible, the Department will work with you and your family to meet the needs of your children. In some instances, the Department will initiate court proceedings in the Children’s Court of WA to take a child into care.
The Department may contact you if they are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of your child. These concerns may include:
- Children being exposed to family violence, alcohol, or drugs
- Children not being looked after safely
- Children being left unsupervised
- Children being at risk due to mental health issues
If the Department contacts you about the care of your children, it is essential that you contact us or another lawyer.
We urge you not to wait until the matter gets to court or they are going to take children into Department care.
It is important that you seek legal advice as quickly as you can once you’ve been contacted.
If The Department contact you about your children it is essential that you contact us or another lawyer as quickly as you can.
When the Department starts talking to you:
- Write notes from any conversation with the Department, including what was said and what was asked for
- Find out who the case worker is
- Go to all meetings with the case worker
- Ask for visits with the children
- Go to court when required
- Talk to a lawyer or contact AFLS
We help support parents or guardians currently dealing with the Department of Communities, especially when it comes to children and safety. If you’ve been contacted by the Department, we can help you talk to them about keeping your children safely in your care.
If your Child Protection matter is already in court, we can assist you to appear in court and tell the magistrate your story.
After your care and protection matters have finished in court, we can assist you with ongoing support, including child contact and care concerns.
