Court NSW / New Words
New words
You will hear new words in court.
You may see some new words in our fact sheets.
We tell you more about those words here.
You may see some new words in our fact sheets.
We tell you more about those words here.
There are 4 parts to this fact sheet.
- When your child is in care
- Court
- Supports
- Other words
- When your child is in care
Adoption
It is a legal step.
Your child becomes part of a new family.
The new family has legal rights about your child.
They make all decisions about your child.
It is for the rest of your childs life.
It is a legal step.
Your child becomes part of a new family.
The new family has legal rights about your child.
They make all decisions about your child.
It is for the rest of your childs life.
Carer
The person who looks after your child when they are in foster care.
The person who looks after your child when they are in foster care.
Case plan meeting
It is a meeting.
It is about the well being of your child in care.
You talk about
It is a meeting.
It is about the well being of your child in care.
You talk about
- what is going well for your child
- problems they have
- what they need
- what each person will do to help your child.
Child protection
Each child must be safe at home.
DCJ and the Childrens Court make sure each child is safe in their home.
Each child must be safe at home.
DCJ and the Childrens Court make sure each child is safe in their home.
Contact
It is also called Family Time or a contact visit.
It is when you see your child.
It is also called Family Time or a contact visit.
It is when you see your child.
DCJ
This is the Department of Communities and Justice.
Most people say DCJ.
They were called FACS.
That was for the Department of Family and Community Services.
They were also called DOCS.
That was the Department of Community services.
This is the Government.
This is the Department of Communities and Justice.
Most people say DCJ.
They were called FACS.
That was for the Department of Family and Community Services.
They were also called DOCS.
That was the Department of Community services.
This is the Government.
Family Action Plan
It is a plan made before your child is removed.
It is a plan to keep your child safe.
It says what you need to do.
Like call the police when there is violence around your child.
It is a plan made before your child is removed.
It is a plan to keep your child safe.
It says what you need to do.
Like call the police when there is violence around your child.
Foster care
Your child lives with a different family.
DCJ find the family.
Your child lives with a different family.
DCJ find the family.
Kinship care
Your child lives with someone else in your family.
Like your sister.
Your child lives with someone else in your family.
Like your sister.
Out Of Home Care
It is also called OOHC.
It is where your child stays when they are not living with you.
It is also called OOHC.
It is where your child stays when they are not living with you.
Safety assessment
DCJ finds out
DCJ finds out
- is your child safe at home?
Like no one hits your child
and -
are your childs needs being met?
Like there is food in your house for your child.
More about a Safety assessment
DCJ talk to anyone in your child’s life. Like
DCJ talk to anyone in your child’s life. Like
- teachers
- child care workers
- other family
and - doctors
- other medical people your child sees. Like counsellor.
Safety Plan
A promise you make to Community Services.
It is a plan to keep your child safe. It says
A promise you make to Community Services.
It is a plan to keep your child safe. It says
- what you have to do
- when you need to do it
- what Community Services will do.
You need to sign the plan.
It means you agree to do the things in the plan.
It means you agree to do the things in the plan.
Temporary Care Arrangement
Sometimes DCJ find a family to look after your child for a short time.
Like for 3 months.
This is to help you.
You agree to this.
Sometimes DCJ find a family to look after your child for a short time.
Like for 3 months.
This is to help you.
You agree to this.
Court
There may be many new words used in Court.
This list will help you know more about some of the words.
Your lawyer can also help you.
This list will help you know more about some of the words.
Your lawyer can also help you.
Affidavit
You write down what you know.
You have to tell the Court it is all true.
The Court asks you to swear what you wrote is true.
It is part of the information for Court.
You write down what you know.
You have to tell the Court it is all true.
The Court asks you to swear what you wrote is true.
It is part of the information for Court.
Appeals
You ask for a different decision in a higher court.
You ask for a different decision in a higher court.
Care plan
DCJ writes this.
It is what they think is best for your child. It says
DCJ writes this.
It is what they think is best for your child. It says
- where your child will live
- who they will live with.
Cognitive assessment
The Court can order this.
It is a test to see how a person:
The Court can order this.
It is a test to see how a person:
- works things out
- pays attention
- remembers things
- plans
- organises things.
Court order
Everyone must do what the court order says. Like
Ask your lawyer to tell you more about it.
Everyone must do what the court order says. Like
- who will look after your child
- what you need to do to keep your child safe
Ask your lawyer to tell you more about it.
Determination
A decision made by the Court
A decision made by the Court
Direct legal representative
They are also called DLR.
It is your childs lawyer.
It is for children 12 years and more.
Like your child is 15 or 17.
They are also called DLR.
It is your childs lawyer.
It is for children 12 years and more.
Like your child is 15 or 17.
Dispute Resolution Conference.
It is also called DRC.
It is a meeting with every one.
You all talk about what is best for your child.
It is also called DRC.
It is a meeting with every one.
You all talk about what is best for your child.
Establishment
The Court decides were DCJ right to take your child?
The Court decides were DCJ right to take your child?
Final Orders
It is also called Permanent Orders.
It says where your child will live until they are 18 years old.
This is the last decision made by Court.
It is also called Permanent Orders.
It says where your child will live until they are 18 years old.
This is the last decision made by Court.
First mention
Day 1 when you go to court.
Most times it is for a short time.
Day 1 when you go to court.
Most times it is for a short time.
Hearing
This is a day in court.
It can be more than 1 day.
It is when a decision is needed.
This is a day in court.
It can be more than 1 day.
It is when a decision is needed.
There is a hearing when every one can not agree.
The Court decides what is best for your child.
The Court decides what is best for your child.
Independent legal representative
They are also called ILR.
It is your childs lawyer.
They are for children and babies.
The children and babies are 0 to 11 years old.
They are also called ILR.
It is your childs lawyer.
They are for children and babies.
The children and babies are 0 to 11 years old.
Interim care arrangement
Where your child stays until a decision is made by the court.
It can be with
Where your child stays until a decision is made by the court.
It can be with
- a family member
or - a foster carer.
Lawyer
A person who has studied law.
This person
A person who has studied law.
This person
- gives you legal advice
- speaks for you in Court.
Magistrate
The person who runs the court.
They can be called a judge.
The person who runs the court.
They can be called a judge.
Mediation
A meeting about your child.
It is not in the Court.
The meeting is run by a person who is not on
A meeting about your child.
It is not in the Court.
The meeting is run by a person who is not on
- your side
- DCJs side.
Mention
A short time in court.
A short time in court.
Parent capacity assessment
The Court can order this.
DCJ will set it up.
It is done by a psychologist.
It is to check your child is safe in your care.
The psychologist will ask you lots of questions.
You may meet
The Court can order this.
DCJ will set it up.
It is done by a psychologist.
It is to check your child is safe in your care.
The psychologist will ask you lots of questions.
You may meet
- at home
or - in their office.
Parental Responsibility and
Interim parental responsibility.
The court works out who makes decisions for your child.
Interim parental responsibility.
The court works out who makes decisions for your child.
Parties
It is a court name for every one in the court case. Like
It is a court name for every one in the court case. Like
- parents
- lawyers
- DCJ.
Sometimes there are other people. Like
- carers.
- grandparents.
Placement
This is part of Court.
The Court decides where your child will live.
It can be with
This is part of Court.
The Court decides where your child will live.
It can be with
- the other parent
or - foster care
or - a different person in your family.
Restoration plan
A plan made by DCJ.
It is only made when the Court says yes your child will come back to you.
A plan made by DCJ.
It is only made when the Court says yes your child will come back to you.
Section 86
This is when you ask to change contact orders.
It may be to change
This is when you ask to change contact orders.
It may be to change
- how many times you see your child
or - there is a contact worker with you.
Section 90
This is when you ask to change the Final Orders.
You need to show the court you have
This is when you ask to change the Final Orders.
You need to show the court you have
- made changes in your life
and - your child will not be at risk.
Undertakings
It is a list of things you need to do.
Like go to a parenting group.
It is in the Court Order.
It is a list of things you need to do.
Like go to a parenting group.
It is in the Court Order.
Supports
Advocate
They help you
You do not pay for the advocate.
They help you
- speak up for your rights
and - speak for you.
You do not pay for the advocate.
Lawyer
A person who has studied law.
This person
A person who has studied law.
This person
- gives you legal advice
- speaks for you in Court.
Support Person
Can be any person you choose.
It can be a
Can be any person you choose.
It can be a
- friend
- family
or - worker.
- good at listening to you
and - telling you things in a way you can understand.
Other Words
Domestic violence
Violence that happens in a relationship with a partner.
Violence that happens in a relationship with a partner.
Violence
Violence is an act that hurts
Violence is an act that hurts
- you
or - another person.
It can be
- physical. Like they hurt your body
- emotional. Like they hurt your feelings
- sexual. Like they make you do sex things you do not want to do
- mental. Like they
- threaten you
- put you down
- try to control you or your mind.
More information
This fact sheet is general information.
It may not be the same for you.
Talk to a lawyer about
It may not be the same for you.
Talk to a lawyer about
- your own child
- your family.
This fact sheet was made by
- The WASH House
- a Parent Advisory Group, 2020.
Images
We have used images from
We have used images from
- ChangePeople
- COMPIC
- Inspired Services
- Mayer-Johnson
- Picto-Selector
- Participics
- SocialBuzz
- TheNounProject.
Access Easy English helped The WASH House write the Easy English.
March 2020.
March 2020.
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