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Vic Legal Aid unveils new early intervention pilot
Victoria Legal Aid has announced the launch of a new early intervention pilot in an attempt to provide assistance and support to children and families who are caught up in the child protection system.
Emma Musgrave
The early intervention unit will be established within Victoria Legal Aid and is expected to commence in 2018.
It noted that the actions follow an extensive review of child protection legal services and consultation with others who work in child protection, and with young people, parents and carers.
“Young people and parents told us that they want greater levels of legal and non-legal support before, during and after the court process. They want more help understanding the system and accessing the supports they need to keep children safe,” said executive director of family, youth and children’s law Nicole Rich.
“The unit will be made up of non-legal advocates who will support families to deal with matters before they need to go to court.’
Ms Rich noted that the pilot is a necessity as it has been discovered that around one-third of child protection cases which go to court involve concerns that do not require the child to be immediately removed from the home.
“Concerns around general hygiene and parenting skills, for example, could be dealt with effectively and much earlier, without going to court where the environment is pressured,” she said.
“Lawyers will continue to play an important role in advancing the best interests of children. They ensure that children, young people, parents and others affected by the system understand what is happening, are supported to have a say in what happens to them, and are treated fairly and according to the law.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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