The Department want to talk to me about my children

 

If the Department want to talk to you about your children, it means they have received a report that your children may be at risk of harm.

 

The Department:

image of a door• may send a caseworker to your house to talk to you or they may ask you to go to their office

 

 

 

image of a school bag• may get a caseworker to talk to your children at school. They don’t need your permission to speak with your children

 

 

 

image of a doctor• can also get information about your family from your doctor, hospital, police, teachers or family members – they don’t need your permission to do this.

 

 

 

 

image of child being led awayThe Department won’t automatically remove your children from your care just because there’s domestic and family violence. Children are only usually removed as a last option.

 

 

 

image of adult sitting with childAfter the Department investigates a report, they may decide everything is okay. Sometimes they may want to work with your family so your children stay in your care while steps are taken to improve their safety.

 

 

 

image of a helping handIt’s important to try to work with the Department, even if you don’t agree with the reasons they are getting involved with your family. See tips for working with the Department.

 

 

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Below are some things the Department may ask you to do, depending on your situation.

Every family is different. What the Department may ask you to do will depend on your case.

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image of legal adviceIf the Department want to enter into an agreement with you, you should get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA. It is important to understand what your agreement means and to make sure you can do everything you have agreed to do. If you don’t want to or can’t follow an agreement, you should get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA.

 

 

 

image of intimidationIf you have experienced domestic and family violence, it’s important to work with the Department to keep you and your children safe.
You can get help and read about protecting children from domestic and family violence.

 

 

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image of legal adviceIf the Department want to enter into an agreement with you, you should get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA. It is important to understand what your agreement means and to make sure you can do everything you have agreed to do. If you don’t want to or can’t follow an agreement, you should get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA.

 

 

image of courtThe Department may also ask the person who has experienced domestic and family violence to get a Domestic Violence Order or Parenting Orders to limit your children’s involvement with you and the risk of them being exposed to violence.

 

 

 

image of person thinking about childThis may mean that your children are able to stay in the other parent’s care even if you are not able to live with them. You can get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA about this.

 

 

 

 

image of person pushing dark cloud awayIf you have used violence, it can be hard to face up to how your behaviour affects your family. It takes strength to admit you need help. If you are serious about being involved in your children’s lives, you should work with the Department, get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA and get help.

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© Copyright National Legal Aid 2019. All rights reserved. All illustrations by Frances Cannon.

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