Information for Parents
Parents Rights
You have the right to:
- Be a Parent
- To have the same rights as all parents
- Speak up for yourself
- Be listened to
- Have programs made to meet your needs – this could include extra time and support
- Have information given to you in Plain English or the best way you understand
- Get help
- Ask for support and get support
- Have the right kind of support
- Have support to attend access visits with their children
- Ask for Advocacy
- Get Advocacy
- Get legal support
- Ask child protection to come back or call back when you have support with you
- Ask child protection for copies of all documents
- Ask child protection questions
- Be told the truth
- Change your goals in your NDIS plan as soon as possible – a new goal can be – “To be the best parent I can be”
- Ask your NDIS support coordinator, planner or LAC to help you make your NDIS plan show what extra support you will need because of your disability
What Child Protection might look for when they remove your child
Child Protection may look for things like:
- Do you have the right supports in place? – this could be from family, friends, services, support workers and an NDIS plan
- Is your home safe- are there things on the floor that your baby/child might put in their mouth and choke on?
- Is your home dangerous- are there power cords showing that your child may touch?
- Is your home clean – is your kitchen clean for making baby bottles?
- Is there Family Violence in your house?
- Are people using drugs in your house?
Child Protection want children to be safe.
If there has been a report made to child protection about your child, child protection will investigate.
What to do if Child Protection contact you
Don’t panic
Stay calm
Get support : support can be from family members, friends, a support worker, your NDIS support coordinator – planner and any services you are with
Look at these links:
VALID (Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability) made this document called Steps to Speaking Up
It has lots of information about what you can do if Child Protection contact you
Click the link to find out more
The Family Inclusion Network Vic also has information about dealing with child protection
Click the link below to find out more
https://www.finvic.org.au/parents/dealing-child-protection/
The Bumpy Road
Easy English fact sheets for parents dealing with the child protection system. Advice from parents with lived experience. (some information will be for NSW only)
Do you need Legal advice or an Advocate?
Please see contacts below
Legal Aid
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/
Disability Discrimination Legal Service
VALID : Advocate
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability
Star Victoria : Advocate
OPA
Office of the Public Advocate