Women's legal centre (ACT)

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.

HOW WE HELP

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:

• Advice about the role of CYPS, and how care orders and procedures work
• Attendance and advocacy in care case conferences prior to children being removed
• Coordinating other services to support clients to comply with care plans
• Representing clients with CYPS
• Representing clients in court and related support
• Referrals and collaboration with other community services and supports

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.

We are able to do this work thanks to funding received from the ACT Law Society.