Integrated Services Report
During the 2020-2021 year, BGCLS has continued to support our partnerships with Sebastopol Maternal & Child Health and Parent Place. The Integrated Program allows us to have face to face meetings with clients in a safe and discrete location. This sense of safety and anonymity is particularly important where family violence is of concern. These visits have been made difficult by the pandemic, however we have been able to adapt with continued referrals to us from the services.
Many of our appointments have been with members of the community that have attended for Maternal & Child Health Services and have seen that we are present and have taken the opportunity ask us questions. This has led to us assisting several clients with their matters regarding a range of issues including family violence, parenting and property matters and divorce. We have also had several clients that have made appointments to meet with a Family Lawyer in person at one of the services. This has allowed us the opportunity meet members of the community in person, while our office may remain closed.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with these services as we return to in-person visits and have the opportunity to provide training to MCH Staff as well as meeting members of the community.
Many of our appointments have been with members of the community that have attended for Maternal & Child Health Services and have seen that we are present and have taken the opportunity ask us questions. This has led to us assisting several clients with their matters regarding a range of issues including family violence, parenting and property matters and divorce. We have also had several clients that have made appointments to meet with a Family Lawyer in person at one of the services. This has allowed us the opportunity meet members of the community in person, while our office may remain closed.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with these services as we return to in-person visits and have the opportunity to provide training to MCH Staff as well as meeting members of the community.
"The Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance is a partnership for organisations, businesses, clubs, groups and networks from across the Grampians Region that share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities. All member organisations have committed to the vision and goals outlined in the Communities of Respect and Equality: A plan to prevent violence against women and their children.
The Ballarat Family Law Pathways Network, is one of over 30 Pathways Networks around Australia funded by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department, was established in 2010 to support professionals working with these families in the Ballarat, Central Grampians and the Wimmera region. Centacare Ballarat is the auspice agency for the Ballarat Family Law Pathways Network.
The Ballarat Network has provided a fantastic opportunity for cross sector training and networking for BGCLS staff at events held in Ballarat and Horsham. These events provide information about local services and specific programs relating to family law and or family violence.
The Ballarat Network has provided a fantastic opportunity for cross sector training and networking for BGCLS staff at events held in Ballarat and Horsham. These events provide information about local services and specific programs relating to family law and or family violence.
The collaboration between BGCLS and Parent Place aims to address the gap in family law and family violence legal representation and advice for vulnerable parents and families in the City Of Ballarat.
The program plays a vital role in prevention and response to family violence and addressing family law concerns within the Maternal and Child Health context by increasing the capacity of staff to respond to families experiencing family violence through training and professional development, while also providing discrete legal support in a safe setting for our community.
The program has been well received by staff, stakeholders and the families that have utilised the service. We look forward to further enhancing the partnership next year.
The program plays a vital role in prevention and response to family violence and addressing family law concerns within the Maternal and Child Health context by increasing the capacity of staff to respond to families experiencing family violence through training and professional development, while also providing discrete legal support in a safe setting for our community.
The program has been well received by staff, stakeholders and the families that have utilised the service. We look forward to further enhancing the partnership next year.
BGCLS is excited to be partnering with the Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (The Federation) on a number of collaborations. Our Executive Officer sits on a number of working groups including the Multi Business Agreement Working Group and the RRR Network.
The Federation is now administering the Integrated Services funding which allows one of our family lawyers to sit in various maternal health settings, offering clients another avenue for engagement with the service. We have already established partnerships with City of Ballarat and provide services through Parent Place and Sebastopol Maternal & Child Health. We are excited explore new partnerships with Moorabool & Horsham Shires in the coming year.
The Federation is now administering the Integrated Services funding which allows one of our family lawyers to sit in various maternal health settings, offering clients another avenue for engagement with the service. We have already established partnerships with City of Ballarat and provide services through Parent Place and Sebastopol Maternal & Child Health. We are excited explore new partnerships with Moorabool & Horsham Shires in the coming year.
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To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/
