Family law Pathways Network lower mid North Coast
06
This issue
Beniefits of participation P2
Lani’s story P2
events held this year P3
upcoming Local events P3
Working with Families P3
An evening with Judge Tom Altobelli P3
National events P4
A Wide Lens P4
FLPN News P5
5 Minutes with a Committee Member P5
may 2014
lower mid North Coast
Family law
Pathways Network
Benefits of ParticiPation include:
• access to the latest information about services offered by other network providers
• Gain an understanding of programs, services, aims and approaches within the sector
• hear expert opinions on the latest research and developments in family law
• learn about the latest collaborative projects and news in family law
• meet other service providers in person and develop professional contacts
• take part in professional development and training activities.
it has Been a Busy start to 2014 for the lower Mid north coast, with a wide variety of training and well received events.
leaNiNG iNto hard CoNversatioNs
the ‘leaning into hard Conversations’ workshop with anthony semann was a very successful presentation with over 100 people in attendance, with positive feedback about both the presenter and content.
Family law Pathways are an initiative of the australian Government attorney General’s department, established in response to the need for improved coordination within the family law system. the networks are managed by a local steering committee which draws expertise across government, non-government and legal organisations.
toPics discussed included:
• Understanding the concept of difficult conversations
• successful partnerships and how these might assist in navigating through such conversation
• third space thinkings and creative tensions
• the art of skilled dialogue
• Creating a thinking organisation
anthony has a degree in education, a masters qualification in sociology and is currently completing a Phd investigating the relationship between courage and leadership. he is an engaging speaker, and we hope to have him back in the region again soon.
laNi’s story
a special screening of ‘lani’s story’ was held on may 7, in front of a full house at Finz Bar and Grill in Forster.
lani’s story follows a young aboriginal woman’s experience from a broken and violent relationship to discovering the redemptive power of love.
Following the screening, motivational speaker, author and domestic violence advocate lani Brennan held a powerful discussion, delivering a confronting and compelling account of her journey from victim to survivor, speaking about her experiences and the warning signs for domestic violence.
other eveNts held this year:
• Family law and the Community worker- covering separation and divorce, de facto relationships, arrangements for children, family dispute resolution and property settlements.
• discrimination toolkit workshop
• mental health First aid training
• drug and alcohol awareness
• Parenting Forum with Families australia
• Care and Protection workshop
• suicide assist training
ongoing is the information kiosk held at wauchope Court on the Federal magistrates Giles Coakes Circuit. the kiosk is an important hub for court attendees on providing access to local support services and programmes.
an emerging need from the kiosk was the number of self-representing clients at court, and in conjunction with a local solicitor an information pack for self- represented litigants was developed. the packs outline key points of the court system, as well as collating key legal services for support. in conjunction with these packs, an affidavit writing workshop was held at the Community legal Centre.
UPComiNG loCal eveNts:
cyBer-safety workshoPs with susan Mclean
Caring for kids online: Professional development session for educators/youth workers
tuesday, 20th May froM 9.30-4.00PM at the Manning uniting church, taree keeping safe in Cyber space: designed for parents and carers of young people
tuesday, 20th May froM 5.30-7.30PM at the Manning uniting church, taree Bookings essential, please call Council on 6592 5399
susan mclean is australia’s foremost expert in the area of Cyber safety and young people. since 1994 she has conducted extensive research and completed advanced training in this area in both Usa and Uk and is a sought after presenter.
workiNG with Families: the Good stUFF aNd the toUGh stUFF
mid coast communities through keep them safe funding is hosting this two day workshop in Port macquarie on 29th and 30th may. it is an interactive, participatory workshop taking participants through practical strategies for working with families and individuals as a family. the package was developed, and will be delivered by Peter slattery.
Go to the mid Coast Communities website for full details and registration http://midcoastcommunities.org.au/
Judge toM altoBelli
UPComiNG loCal eveNts:
an evening with Judge toM altoBelli, May 22nd 2014
Judge altoBellli will talk at the Manning regional art gallery on
‘shared care and overnights’
5.30PM for networking, wine and canaPés for a 7PM start
rsvP: [email protected]
Judge altobelli has authored 4 books on family law and dispute resolution as well as 50 articles in australian and international journals. he is currently sitting as the Federal Circuit Court Judge in wollongong, with over 30 years in practice.
UPComiNG NatioNal eveNts:
naidoc week celeBrations 6–13 July 2014
a celebration of aboriginal and torres strait islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of indigenous australians in various fields.
coMMunities in control 2014: the lucky country conference australia’s most inspiring social movement – the biggest and best annual not-for-profit sector gathering.
moonee valley racing Club
moonee Ponds melbourne may 26 & 27 2014 http://www.ourcommunity.com.au
13th australian institute of faMily studies conference: faMilies in a raPidly changing world
melbourne Convention Centre, 30 July – 1 august 2014
royal coMMission coMMunity Based suPPort service
Under the royal Commission Community Based support service funding interrelate provides specialised services including comprehensive therapeutic support for those directly and indirectly affected by the royal Commission. our support services include:
• information and advice
• case management
• warm referrals to and engagement with royal Commission
• interpreter access
• debriefing immediately after royal Commission
• warm referrals to long term support
• face to face and telephone counselling
you can access these services By:
• calling our central royal Commission support services intake number 1300 134 924
• emailing our central royal Commission support services intake on [email protected]
Family law Pathways Network lower mid North Coast
Ph 02 6551 1200
‘
a wide leNs’
a resource for workers with children and young PeoPle
a wide lens’ is a free on-line learning and training resource developed by Peter slattery for the Nsw dept of Family and Community services. it is intended for workers and trainers with children and young people. it is a mapping tool, a holistic way of looking at those we work with. it presents a model of three worlds: the internal and external worlds of the child or young person, and the third world, the assets and resources of the helper, worker, the carer.
with videos and animations, ‘a wide lens’ takes you through a series of questions to help identify what is terrific and what is less-so in a person’s world…and asks what we might be able to offer: to add, strengthen, minimise or maximise in the worlds of those we work with, and also asks: what can we access from our own worlds to assist in the process? you will find it here:
http://www.youthworkmatters.com/a-wide-lens-free-online-learning-resource-for-workers-with-children-and-parents/
FlPN News
the FlPN is getting a website. the website is currently in the development phase and means we will have a new email address very soon.
the next time you receive this newsletter it will be in an enews format. you will also be able to register and pay for FlPN events online.
Five miNUtes with a steeriNG Committee memBer
louise weBBer
mid Coast women’s domestic violence Court advocacy service taree, Forster and Gloucester
0419 938 241
what is your role?
to assist women and children experiencing domestic violence to obtain effective legal protection from Nsw local courts through apprehended domestic violence orders (advo) the emphasis of our court advocacy work is on pre court and at court service delivery.
in addition to court work, we facilitate access to a network of professional services that can assist our clients with other legal and social/welfare needs.
in your opinion what benefits are gained from the FlPN to service providers and families?
through partnerships established with FlPN, services build on their capacity to respond effectively to domestic violence in our community thus increasing the safety of vulnerable families.
three things families can gain from your service?
• we can facilitate better access for our clients, to the court process, by ensuring they understand it.
• we can advocate on behalf of clients to help them obtain the best possible court outcome.
• we can make appropriate referrals to other service providers including legal practitioners to assist clients with their ongoing needs.
