Child protection lawyers for Department of Child Safety matters
If the Department of Child Safety has contacted you, raised concerns about your children or started court proceedings, getting advice early can help you understand what is happening and what you need to do next.
R.A. Solicitors acts for parents, grandparents and other family members, foster and kinship carers, and young people in child protection matters across South East Queensland.
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Child Safety has contacted you about your children.
You have been asked to attend a meeting.
Your child has been removed from your care.
The Department is seeking a child protection order.
You disagree with a case plan or decision.
You are a parent seeking the return of your child.
You are a family member seeking kinship care.
You are a foster carer seeking adoption or long-term guardianship.
How our child protection lawyers can help
Every family's circumstances are different. We can advise and represent you throughout your matter, from the first contact with Child Safety through to court proceedings.
Child Safety involvement
We can help you understand why the Department is involved, what concerns have been raised and how you can respond.
Child protection court proceedings
We can prepare for court, explain the documents and orders involved, and represent you during the proceedings.
Parents and extended family
We represent parents, grandparents and other family members who are involved in a child protection matter or seeking to care for a child.
Foster and kinship carers
We assist foster and kinship carers who need advice about their role, a placement or decisions affecting a child in their care.
Case plans and meetings
We can help you prepare for meetings with Child Safety and understand what is expected of you under a case plan.
Child removal matters
If your child has been removed from your care, we can explain the process, the orders being sought and what steps may be available to you.
Family reunification
We can advise you about the steps being asked of you and help you present your position when seeking the return of your child.
Young people
We represent young people who need independent advice and support during child protection proceedings.
A strong focus on child protection law
Child protection is a major part of our work. Justin Ashcroft has practised in this area for 19 years and has represented people at different stages of the Child Safety and court process.
Justin acts for parents, grandparents and other family members, foster and kinship carers, and young people. Our role is to listen to what has happened, explain where you stand and represent your position clearly.
Justin and Associate Finlay Weston are both accredited Separate Representatives. A Separate Representative is a lawyer appointed by the Court to help it consider what is in the best interests of a child and what orders, if any, should be made.
Justin Ashcroft
Principal & Director, accredited Separate Representative
A clear first step when you contact us
01.
Tell us what is happening
Let us know why Child Safety is involved, what contact you have had and whether your child is in your care.
02.
Share any important dates
Tell us about upcoming meetings, court dates or deadlines, and send through any documents you have.
03.
Speak with the right person
We will connect you with a team member who handles child protection matters and understands your situation.
04.
Understand what comes next
We will explain the next step, what we need from you and the likely costs.
An established firm behind your matter
Alongside Justin's work in child protection, R.A. Solicitors brings the courts experience, continuity and local presence that a matter of this kind needs.
Regular court experience
Our team appears regularly in the Beenleigh, Holland Park, Brisbane, Ipswich, Richlands and Southport Magistrates Courts.
A long-serving team
Several team members have been with the firm for more than a decade, so you are not handed between unfamiliar people as your matter progresses.
Offices across South East Queensland
We meet clients at our Beenleigh, Logan Central and Ipswich offices, and act for clients throughout Logan, Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
Legal fees and Legal Aid
We know cost can be a concern, especially when you are already dealing with Child Safety and court deadlines. We will explain the likely cost of the next stage before work begins and let you know if anything changes.
R.A. Solicitors is a preferred supplier of Legal Aid Queensland. If your matter may be eligible, we can talk you through the process and help with the application. Legal Aid Queensland decides whether funding is approved.
Child protection FAQs
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take account of your circumstances. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice about your own matter.