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Practice tools
We have a toolkit and checklist available for lawyers assisting clients through both the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) internal case plan review process and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Review Tribunal (VCAT) process.
- Review of DHHS Child Protection Services decisions in VCAT – checklist (docx, 135.48 KB)
A checklist to the processes involved in applying to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for review of any decisions made by the Child Protection Service of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) concerning a child to go with the toolkit. - Review of DHHS Child Protection Service decisions by VCAT – toolkit (docx, 146.85 KB)
This toolkit provides a brief overview and guide to the processes involved in applying to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for review of any decisions made by the Child Protection Service of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) concerning a child.
Precedents
Precedents in Microsoft Word file format, including different versions of client letters to children, young people and adults, are available to child protection private practitioner panel lawyers by email. If you would like access to these documents, please contact: suzanne.bettink@vla.vic.gov.au, eveline.pagnani@vla.vic.gov.au or hala.atwa@vla.vic.gov.au
Professional legal education
We have videos and associated materials which may be accessed by child protection private practitioner panel lawyers with topics including:
- Applying to VCAT for reviews of DHHS (as it then was) case plan decisions in child protection matters (part 1)
- How to run an administrative review of DHHS (as it then was) decisions at VCAT (part 2).
For a full list of available topics or to access the videos and materials email: ple@vla.vic.gov.au
More information
See also Child protection in the Family Division of the Children’s Court.
Additional resources
- Children’s Court of Victoria – Family Division – Child – part 5:29 – Case planning
- DHHS Child Protection Manual (now DFFH but still labelled as DHHS):
Rules of procedural fairness apply to the decision-making process. See the following publications of the Law Institute of Victoria:
Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.
We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 09 May 2023