Child responsive program
2. Child responsive program
The child responsive program involves a series of meetings between a family consultant, the parents (and/or other carers) and the children. The meetings focus on the children’s needs and the aim is to assist parents and the Court to achieve the best outcomes for the children.
The family consultant cannot keep private or confidential any information and will report to the court about the meetings
Intake and assessment meeting with each party
The family consultant meets separately with each parent to find out about the children.
Child and family meeting
Child and family meetings usually start with the family consultant meeting briefly with the parents and then spending some time with the children, both individually and together if there is more than one child. Children are given an opportunity to talk about their feelings and experiences of their family and what it is like for them now that their parents are not living together. The family consultant then provides feedback to the parents about the children’s experiences and views and gives the parents an opportunity to discuss future arrangements for their children.
Selective settlement meeting
After the child and family meeting, the family consultant and the parents may consider that a settlement meeting with the family consultant, the parents and their legal representatives would assist making arrangements for the children.
If the family consultant does not consider that a settlement meeting would assist in making arrangements that would be in the best interests of the children, the case will proceed to a less adversarial trial.
A children and parents issues assessment
A children and parents issues assessment is prepared by the family consultant following the child and family meeting. The written assessment will provide a summary of the main issues identified in relation to the children and parents, the feedback provided to the parents about the children and the subsequent discussions. The assessment will be made available to the parents, the legal representatives and the Court.
For more information about the child responsive program and the role of family consultants see the fact sheets ‘The Child Responsive Program’ and ‘Family consultants’ in the Publications section of this website.
What is the next step?
As soon as possible after you have completed the child responsive program, you will attend a procedural hearing with a registrar.