Parents and carers often approach us for advice and assistance with issues they're facing in their family. KCLS can provide people with legal advice and assistance on legal issues involving the care of children and young people, as well as dealing with family violence.
Relationship or marriage break-ups can be difficult and complex for anyone to deal with when arrangements need to be made for the care of children.
The law says it’s important for children to have a meaningful relationship with each of their parents and other important people in their lives (such as grandparents), as long as the relationship is in the children’s best interests and doesn’t put them at risk of harm.
A lawyer at KCLS can speak to you before you attend FDR to advise you on your rights and options before you go to FDR. If you can't reach an agreement at FDR or your situation is too urgent to wait for FDR, you can speak to a lawyer at KCLS about your options.
Case Study: June
June approached KCLS after her child was apprehended and placed in protective care by the Department. KCLS recognised June's efforts in addressing the Department's prior concerns and referred her to social support services to further address those concerns. During proceedings, the Department decided to relocate the child to a foster placement in Perth, approximately 3,000km away from June's residence in the Kimberley region. In response, KCLS filed an interim application seeking the child's return to the Kimberley. The KCLS lawyer vigorously represented June at subsequent interim hearings and successfully negotiated for facilitated travel to enable her to maintain contact with her child in Perth. Through the course of the proceedings, the Department agreed to the child's repatriation to the Kimberley, and the child was reunited with his mother in their home region.