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Chapter 5.1: Child Protection - after 1 March 2016

THIS CHAPTER APPLIES FROM 01/03/2016. OLD CHAPTER 5 DETAILS CHILD PROTECTION LAW BEFORE 01/03/2016 AND IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. 

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This chapter commences with a discussion of the four overlapping categories of child abuse. It then discusses the various primary and secondary applications for which the Family Division has jurisdiction, the primary applications being:

  • temporary assessment order applications;
  • protection applications;
  • irreconcilable difference applications;
  • applications for permanent care orders; and
  • applications for therapeutic treatment orders and therapeutic treatment (placement) orders.

The chapter goes on to discuss the decision-making principles that the Court must apply in determining these applications and the orders which the Court can make on each of the applications, the primary focus being on protection applications. The chapter continues with a discussion of Court reports, emergency care search warrants, interstate transfer of child protection orders & proceedings and the case planning responsibilities of DFFH. Several sections are devoted to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency [VACCA], its protocol with DFFH and cultural plans for Aboriginal children. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the parens patriae jurisdiction of superior courts.

Download Chapter 5.1 here

Author: former Magistrate Peter Power
Place of Publication: Melbourne, Australia
Publisher: Children's Court of Victoria
Date of Publication: 23 February 2024
Number of Pages: 192
Copyright: State of Victoria, 2020