Receiving a phone call, letter, or visit from the Department of Child Safety can be incredibly stressful, especially if it’s unexpected.

Receiving a phone call, letter, or visit from the Department of Child Safety can be incredibly stressful, especially if it’s unexpected.

Receiving a phone call, letter, or visit from the Department of Child Safety can be incredibly stressful, especially if it’s unexpected.

Receiving a phone call, letter, or visit from the Department of Child Safety can be incredibly stressful, especially if it’s unexpected.

Receiving a phone call, letter, or visit from the Department of Child Safety can be incredibly stressful, especially if it’s unexpected.

When you’re involved in child protection proceedings, the terminology alone can feel overwhelming—let alone trying to understand what each document means and why it matters.

When a family becomes involved with the Department of Child Safety, many parents and carers ask the same question: Will my child have a say in what happens.

If you’ve been asked to appear in the Children’s Court for a child protection matter, it’s completely normal to feel nervous or overwhelmed.

It’s often a frightening and confusing time when the Department of Child Safety contacts a family for the first time. Many parents and carers are unsure why they’re being investigated, what their rights are, or what will happen next.

A Family Group Meeting (FGM) is one of the main ways the Department of Child Safety works with families to create a safe and stable plan for children. If you’ve been invited to an FGM, it means the Department is seeking your input and that you have a voice in what happens next.

If the Department of Child Safety is involved with your family, you may be asked to participate in creating a case plan. This document outlines what needs to happen to make sure your child is safe, supported, and cared for—either with you or in an alternative placement.

If the Department of Child Safety is involved with your family, you may be asked to participate in creating a case plan. This document outlines what needs to happen to make sure your child is safe, supported, and cared for—either with you or in an alternative placement.

If your family is involved in a child protection matter, you might hear that the Court has appointed a separate representative for your child. This can sound confusing or even worrying at first, especially if you’re already trying to navigate a complex and emotional situation.

When the Department of Child Safety becomes involved with a family, it's not unusual for people outside the immediate biological parents to step forward and want to help.