About this service
Our child protection service helps parents and children to advocate for their rights and needs with Child Protection (Department of Health and Human Services).
We provide legal advice about child protection and related legal matters, like family violence and parenting arrangements.
Our lawyers also assist people with child protection matters at local Magistrates’ Courts through our child protection duty lawyer service.
For people with complex child protection and related legal matters, we may also be able to provide ongoing legal representation and support.
Who is this service for?
Our child protection legal service is for parents and young people who are:
- In contact with Child Protection (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Worried about Child Protection becoming involved in their life; or
- Wanting help from Child Protection
How to access this service
To find out if we can help you at court, or to book an appointment for legal advice before your court date, please visit our Bendigo office or call us on (03) 5445 0909 or FREECALL 1800 450 909 during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.
If you need help on the day at court, please go to the Court Registry Office and ask to speak to a lawyer on duty. You do not need an appointment.
Our lawyers are available at the following courts:
Bendigo Magistrates’ Court – every Monday
Castlemaine Magistrates’ Court – once a month
Echuca Magistrates’ Court – once a month
Kyneton Magistrates’ Court – once a month
Maryborough Magistrates’ Court – once a month
When you contact us to make an appointment, we will ask you some questions about your legal problem and confirm your personal details. We use this information to work out if we have a lawyer that can help you. If we can’t help, we will give you information about other legal services that might be able to assist.
We respect your privacy. To learn more about how we protect your personal information see our Client’s Rights, Responsibilities and Privacy page.
Legal Help Request Form
Fill in the form below to contact us for help. If your matter is urgent, or you have a court date coming up, please call us.
Emergency Contacts
Other support services that are available to help you 24-hours a day include:
Lifeline
13 11 14
Safe Steps Family Violence Help Line
1800 015 188
Men’s Line
1300 78 99 78
Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800