Info re Dept Child Safety

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Information about Child Protection and the Department of Child Safety.

This contains general information only, not legal advice. NQDVRS workers do not give legal advice but can help you talk about the issues.

The Department of Child Safety (DChS) has just contacted me to investigate a complaint. What should I do?

	Find out the names of the people involved (the Child Safety Officer, their Team Leader, Manager), which Area Office they come from and the contact number.
	If your children have been removed, ask for any paperwork (there should be a court order or voluntary agreement).
	If DChS wants you to sign something there and then, YOU DON’T HAVE TO. SEEK LEGAL ADVICE, ASK FOR TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.
	Keep all the paperwork DChS gives you.
	ALWAYS go to court (even if you are told you don’t have to be there)

Other important things to remember -

EVERYTHING you tell the Department of Child Safety will form part of their assessment. Any evidence could be used in criminal proceedings against you.

	You DO NOT HAVE to answer any of their questions, or you could just answer the ones you feel comfortable with BUT REMEMBER Take your time – ask for a break
	If you don’t understand, ask for clarification

It’s OK to have a support person with you such as a friend, family member, or a lawyer

The Department has told me to attend a family meeting. What should I do?

Ask for details, what is the meeting about? Is it a case planning meeting, a general family meeting or a court ordered conference? Take time to prepare for the meeting.

I have received a notice to go to Court. What should I do?

	Seek legal advice immediately
	Contact Legal Aid to see whether you are eligible for free legal advice or services – see the listings overleaf.

How should I prepare for Court?

	Get legal advice before you go
	Prepare! Know what you want, make sure your lawyer has enough information. You will be asked questions and have a chance to have your say. REMEMBER, anything you say will be used to make the final decision.
	Be aware of court protocols.
	At court – everything is focused on what is in the best interests of the child.
	The court has to be satisfied that you have had a reasonable opportunity to obtain legal representation.
	A separate representative (i.e. a child’s lawyer) may be appointed for your child.
	If your child is mature enough and wants to have a say, the court must be informed.

What types of Court Orders are there?

Temporary Assessment Order (TAO) an emergency order, lasts a maximum of 3 days
Court Assessment Order (CAO) lasts a maximum of four weeks
Child Protection Order (CPO) an order made by the Court but DChS has to prove that harm has, is or is likely to occur, and there is no parent able or willing to protect the child from harm.

Want more detailed information?

Ask us for a copy of “Information Kit on Child Protection for Parents” published by the South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre.

http://www.swbcls.org.au/childprotection.htm

Extracts from this Information Kit appear throughout this pamphlet.

For DOMESTIC VIOLENCE help

	DVCONNECT 1800 811 811
	MEN’S INFO LINE 1800 600 636

YOU CAN GET HELP FROM

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES

Phone 47215148, free call 1800 074 463 , 34 Stanley Street TOWNSVILLE

INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE

Phone 4721 6007, St James Place TOWNSVILLE

NQ WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE

Phone 4772 5400, free call 1800 244 504, 42 Sturt Street TOWNSVILLE

LEGAL AID QLD Phone 1300 65 11 88

TOWNSVILLE COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE

Phone 4721 5511 St James Place TOWNSVILLE

THE WOMEN’S CENTRE Phone 4775 7555

50-52 Patrick Street AITKENVALE

For more information on complaints -

DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

www.childsafety.qld.gov.au

Central Complaints and Review Unit –

Phone 1800 080 464

eMail: complaints@childsafety.qld.gov.au

QUEENSLAND OMBUDSMAN

Investigates concerns about actions and decisions made by state government departments. Free call 1800 600 028

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS

PARENTLINE is a free, confidential telephone service that provides counselling and referrals. Counsellors are available from 8am to 10pm,

7 days a week Phone 1300 301 300

www.parentline.com.au/

KIDS HELP LINE, 24 hrs 7 days

Free call 1800 55 1800 - counselling

for children and young people

www.kidshelp.com.au/

WHATEVER YOU DO, if you have fears for your or your children’s safety, consider making a safety plan to use if you have to leave in a hurry. And REMEMBER acts of domestic violence and the outcome of those acts are the SOLE responsibility of the person committing them!

Funded by the Department of Communities, Queensland.