Engagement with Care and Protection processes can be distressing for women, particularly if the processes are not clear, and they are not sure what their rights are.
Our Care and Protection Practice provides advice and assistance about Care and Protection process in the ACT and the intersection between these processes and other jurisdictions including family law.
Our aim is to keep children with their families where possible, and help reduce the rates of child removal in the ACT.
We believe CYPS can make better decisions about the care of children when women are supported, are on an equal footing and processes are fair, transparent and accountable.
Our practice is focussed on assisting women who are in the early stages of Child and Youth Family Services (CYPS) involvement in their families.
We provide:
We work with you to make sure CYPS have accurate information about your situation, your children and your parenting strengths. Our Social Workers and Aboriginal Case Manger can also provide support to connect with counselling, parenting and other support services so you have the support to parent and care for your children.
The Centre is also concerned at the high rates of removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, compared to non-Indigenous children and the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. Mulleun Mura, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Access to Justice Program includes a focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women who are parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children engage with CYPS in a way that supports culture and community connection.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call for police and ambulance help.
Ph: 000
If you require police assistance but it is not an emergency, phone 131 444 or visit the ACT Police website.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE
DVCS is an inclusive service supporting children, young people and adults impacted by domestic and family violence. This includes those who use violence.
Ph: 24/7 Crisis Line (02) 6280 0900
CANBERRA COMMUNITY LAW
CCL provides free legal assistance in the areas of public housing, Centrelink, disability discrimination and some civil law matters. It also runs specialist programs to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Centrelink, housing and race discrimination legal issues and people experiencing homelessness with civil law issues.
Ph: (02) 6218 7900
CONSUMER LAW CENTRE ACT
CLC provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards and personal loans), debt recovery, financial abuse, bankruptcy, insurance, simple contracts, and general fair trading and consumer protection.
Ph: 02 6143 0044
ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE
ALS provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law, Care and Protection and Tenancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Ph: 1800 765 767 (Criminal matters) 1800 733 233 (Care & protection and family matters)
LEGAL AID ACT
LA provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters, including migration and private tenancy issues.
Ph: 1300 654 314 (Helpline)
LEGAL AID DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER UNIT
This Unit provides free assistance to people applying for Family Violence Orders and help to understand and respond to orders. The Unit is located at the ACT Magistrates Court.
Ph: (02) 6207 1874 or 1300 654 314