If a government agency is talking to you about your kids, it’s important to get legal advice right away.
Call us on 1800 765 767. This is a toll-free number.
We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW and the ACT.
What is child protection?
Child protection is when a government agency is talking to you or your family because they are concerned about the safety of children.
Government agencies include the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in NSW. It’s also known as FACS and used to be called DOCS.
In ACT, the government agency for child protection is Children, Youth and Families (CYF). It's also known as Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS).
Our goals
We want to see Aboriginal children growing up safe in their own families, with strong connections to culture and community.
We work hard to keep kids safe, keep families together, and help parents get their lives together and their children back.
Who we help
Who we help
We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, parents and family members across NSW and the ACT with child protection issues.
Our lawyers appear on child protection matters in the Children’s Court, District Court, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal.
Limitations
Our legal assistance is subject to merit and conflict tests. The merit test makes sure that our help is going to those people who need it most, while the conflict test makes sure that we don’t have any conflicts of interest in taking your case, so that you can be confident we are acting in your best interests.
Our assistance is also subject to the availability of ALS care and protection lawyers. Unfortunately we don't receive enough government funding to always have lawyers available. We are actively campaigning for the Commonwealth, NSW and ACT Governments to provide us with the adequate funding we need to change this. In the meantime, we will do our best to provide you with information and referral to another service if we are unable to represent you.
How we help
We can help you understand what child protection agencies and/or courts are saying and what it means for your children. We are 100% independent from government and child protection agencies.
Have a yarn with us if:
- DCJ or CYPS are talking to you about your kids
- You’re worried about the safety of your children
- You’re worried your kids may be taken away
- You’re pregnant and worried your baby may be removed at birth
- Your children have been removed (even if it was a long time ago) and you want to see them more or bring them home
- There are things going on at home which could impact your kids, such as family violence or relationship problems between you and your partner
Even if you’re not sure whether we can help, give us a call on 1800 765 767 and we can talk about it.
Early support for families in Dubbo and Moree
We have received funding to provide early support in Dubbo and Moree for Aboriginal parents and carers whose children are at risk of being removed. The Aboriginal Child and Family Advocacy Service (ACFAS) is a holistic program offering family advocates and lawyers who will work together to provide you with different kinds of support, all in the one place.
If you're in Dubbo, Moree or surrounding towns, and DCJ is talking to you, come have a yarn with us - the sooner the better. We are here to advocate for you and help you talk with DCJ before the case goes to court.
Call us direct on (02) 6841 6969 or dial 1800 765 767 (free call) and ask for ACFAS.
Contact information
Call 1800 765 767 to speak with our care and protection team or email [email protected].
