17/53 The Crescent17/53 The Crescent(Cnr Sayer Street) (Cnr Sayer Street) Midland WA 6056Midland WA 6056(08) 9436 0600(08) 9436 0600(08) 9436 0666 (08) 9436 0666 mfrc@centrecare.com.aumfrc@centrecare.com.au

Family Law ChangesFamily Law Changes Family Law changed in July 2006 Compulsory family dispute resolution before

accessing Family Court Certificates issued for access to Family Court after

FDR in some cases Exemption available in some cases

Family Law ChangesFamily Law Changes Presumption of equal shared parental responsibility-

equal role for parents regarding important long term decisions that affect child

Equal time - in child's best interests & reasonably practicable

Substantial & significant time- includes weekends, midweek, regular days, special events

Applicable LegislationApplicable LegislationFamily Law Act 1975Family Law Regulations 1984Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners)

Regulations 2008Family Law Rules 2004

Family Court Act 1997Family Court Regulations 1998Family Court Rules 1998

Midland Family Relationship Midland Family Relationship CentreCentre

First point of contact and a gateway to accessing other services in a supported way.Three ObjectivesThree Objectives

1) Strengthening family relationships

2) Support families that are intact and/or attempting to reconcile

3) Assisting families through separation

Midland Family Relationship Midland Family Relationship CentreCentre

Creates an environment for FDR that has safety as a key focus Keeps the child as a central focus Provides information about Family Law Changes Assists parents and grandparents to develop

parenting plans Helps parents and grandparents to review the plan

Principles of the Family Law ActPrinciples of the Family Law ActThe over-arching consideration is the ‘best interests of

the child’.The primary considerations are

The benefit of the child having a meaningful relationship with both parents

The need to protect the child from physical and psychological harm caused by abuse, neglect or family violence.

STAGES OF FDRSTAGES OF FDR

Initial Intake for FRC ServiceInitial Intake for FRC Service

Receptionist first point of contact for all callers Initial screening and referral options with Client

Liaison Officer Screening and Assessment interview

Screening & AssessmentScreening & Assessment All cases involve detailed assessment undertaken by a

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) FDRP offers information/referral options Case management FDR in appropriate cases Safety assessment Referral options explored

Joint FDR SessionsJoint FDR Sessions2 or 3 hour sessionConducted by qualified FDRPReferral options considered

Counselling for children, parents and grandparents DV services Liaison with CSA

Telephone FDR when appropriateShuttle FDR

Developing Child Focused Developing Child Focused Parenting PlansParenting Plans

Primary considerations include: benefit of child having meaningful relationship with both parents and their extended family

Need to protect child from physical/ psychological harm

Protection from neglect, abuse or violence

Parenting Plan can be used to make an application for consent order or variation to Violence Restraining Order (VRO)

Developing Child Focused Developing Child Focused Parenting PlansParenting Plans

FDR offered to parents and grandparents willing to work together and to maintain a child focus

Parenting Plans can be reviewed Information and referrals to support children and vulnerable

parents is part of post-separation parenting planning A Parenting Plan can be taken into account by court

Child in Focus SeminarsChild in Focus Seminars Explain family law changes Focus on the emotional wellbeing of individual children Encourage parents to develop a parental alliance Child is not responsible for decision making Help parents build a secure parenting base after separation No vaccine against persistent parental conflict Link into Centrecare counselling

Child Inclusive Practice Child Inclusive Practice Child In Focus Seminar designed to increase awareness of

how ongoing & unresolved conflict impacts on children Child inclusive practice ensures parenting plans reflect

children’s need for continuing relationship with both parents Ensures extended family are considered, such as grandparents Children have a voice

Indigenous AdvisorIndigenous Advisor AG funded position to address needs of Indigenous

families Trained in FDR, one of only three in FRCs Specialist knowledge in FDV Works with extended family

including grandparents Provides training & consultancy

to agencies

Summary of Midland FRC Summary of Midland FRC Practice ModelPractice Model

Safety is the overarching principle Children's best interests at core of our work

Six stage processSix stage process1) Intake 2) Screening & Assessment3) Case management4) Child in Focus Seminar5) FDR Sessions6) Parenting Plans

Summary of Midland FRC Summary of Midland FRC Practice ModelPractice Model

Informed & trained staff to identify family’s needs

Active referral practice to support children, parents and grandparents

Important link to Centrecare counselling On-going service delivery Operate within Family Law reforms

Further SupportFurther Support

CentrecareCentrecare provides support, counselling and relationship education services to

help families manage separation.Centrecare Midland Centrecare Midland

Ph: Ph: 9436 06009436 0600

How can counselling help?How can counselling help?Talking to a qualified counsellor can help parents,

grandparents and children explore and deal with the challenges presented by separation.

This may assist the parents and grandparents to put aside their personal issues and focus on their children.

This may assist children by helping them adjust to changes in their lives and to help them build resilience by gaining life and social skills.

Groups – Seminars – WorkshopsGroups – Seminars – WorkshopsCommunicating with Teenagers WorkshopReal Dads’ WorkshopProblem Gambling’ GroupFamily Focus Parents Forum - MidlandFamily & Domestic Violence Groups for Women, Men

and ChildrenMen in Relationships CounsellingCounselling for children

www.familycourt.wa.gov.auwww.familycourt.wa.gov.auFamily Court of Western Australia150 Terrace Rd (Cnr Victoria Ave) Perth WA 6000GPO Box 9991, Perth WA 6848Registry Hours: 9am to 4pm Monday to FridayTelephone Call Centre: (08) 9224 8222 (8am to 5pm)Country Areas Free Call: 1800 199 228

Welcome to the Family Court of Western Australia website. This website has been developed to provide:

Information about alternatives to Family Court proceedings Information about divorce, child issues and financial issues Information about the workings of the court Access to court forms and information relevant to proceedings at the court Contact details and links to other family law related websites and organisations Information relating to adoption and surrogacy applications

www.slp.wa.gov.auwww.slp.wa.gov.auWA State Law Publisher Home PageWA State Law Publisher Home Page

Click HERE for Western Australian Legislation Databases

ActsIn forceCeasedIn force and Ceased

Subsidiary LegislationIn forceCeasedIn force and Ceased

www.comlaw.gov.auwww.comlaw.gov.auAustralian Law Online – Federal RegisterAustralian Law Online – Federal Register

Acts

Compilations - Current

Legislative Instruments

Commonly Viewed Legislation

Midland Midland FamilyFamily Relationship Centre Relationship Centre17/53 The Crescent, Midland WA 6056

Tel: (08) 9436 0600mfrc@centrecare.com.aumfrc@centrecare.com.au

Family Relationships Advice Line Freecall - 1800 050 321www.familyrelationships.gov.auwww.familyrelationships.gov.au

QuestionsQuestions