Care and Protection Matters
When the state challenges your ability to care for your child, the impact can be immediate and overwhelming. Care and Protection matters can affect where your child lives, how your family functions and what your future looks like. We stand firm to protect your rights as a parent and work tirelessly toward the safest and most stable outcome for your family.
How Care and Protection Matters Work
Care and Protection involvement usually begins when a government agency receives a report about a child’s safety. This can lead to interviews, home visits, assessments and, in some cases, urgent action. The Department may then apply to the Children’s Court for temporary or long-term orders, sometimes without you being present at the first appearance.
Once a matter enters the court system, it moves through several steps: early directions hearings, case plans, meetings with caseworkers, evidence gathering and, if needed, a defended hearing. During this process, the court considers a range of information – including Department reports, risk assessments, family history and your capacity to safely care for your child.
Strong legal advice early on can make a significant difference. Some matters can be resolved through negotiation, updates to case plans or by addressing specific concerns raised by the Department. If the case progresses to a final hearing, the Magistrate will hear evidence from both sides before deciding whether ongoing orders are needed and what those orders should look like.
With Ciantar Greiner supporting you, you are never left facing this system alone. We explain each step in plain language, prepare your case thoroughly and advocate strongly for your rights and your child’s best interests. Our goal is to make a stressful, confusing process clearer and more manageable, while working toward the best possible outcome.
Having strong advocacy from the moment the Department becomes involved can make a significant difference in outcomes.
Our Approach
Care and Protection matters are highly sensitive and require a calm, strategic approach. We gather evidence to strengthen your case and demonstrate your ability to safely care for your child. Where possible, we negotiate to reduce conflict and work toward a realistic, child-focused plan. Our communication style is always simple, honest and supportive, so you always know what is happening and what you need to do next.
Types of Care and Protection Matters We Handle
Department Investigations and Risk Assessments
We support parents from the earliest stage of involvement, including interviews, home visits and safety assessments.
Applications for Care and Protection Orders
We represent parents in cases involving interim or long-term orders, working to keep children at home or support reunification wherever possible.
Placement and Contact Arrangements
If a child has been removed, we advocate for appropriate placement options, family time, cultural connection and a clear path for returning home.
Case Plans, Case Meetings and Negotiations
We guide parents through meetings with the Department, help address risk concerns and work toward agreements that support family stability.
Variations, Extensions and Appeals
We challenge unfair or outdated orders, seek changes when circumstances improve and appeal decisions where appropriate.
Overlap with Family Law
Many Care and Protection matters run alongside parenting disputes or family violence issues. Our cross-jurisdictional experience means we manage all related matters together to protect your position across both systems.