Family Court: Navigating through the Changes National Seminar Series Moves to North Island

Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) and Ebborn Law are inviting providers who deal with domestic violence, and the wider social services and government sector, to a series of workshops to review the changes to the Family Justice System.

Following successful pre-Family Court reform workshops in Canterbury last year, social service providers approached Ebborn Law and SSPA and asked for an update for the sector. The result of that October 2014 meeting was a series of intensive workshops throughout the South Island attended by over 300 professionals.

The workshops addressed how the reforms had evolved, Family Dispute Resolution, Parenting through Separation courses, types of Court documents and forms, domestic violence and issues for seniors. Information on the Non-Contact Orders available under the Victims of Violence Act and current and planned changes to the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act was also presented.

“The success of the workshops has triggered interest in a similar series being run for providers in Napier and Wellington later this month (20 – 21 July 2015). The changes to the Family Law system have had significant impact on families and service providers, and partnering with Ebborn Law who are subsiding and facilitating the free workshops has been both timely and rewarding”, says Tara D’Sousa, National Manager SSPA.

“Ebborn Law employs six lawyers and is a major provider of Family Legal Advice Service (FLAS) and legal aid, and works closely with the social services to provide a holistic service to their clients”, Jarrod Coburn, Chief Executive of Ebborn Law, says, “The workshops are an example of the law profession embracing the type of holistic practice that has been undertaken in the social services sector for many years.”

“Working alongside the team from SSPA was a real pleasure. I know from experience the tensions that arise from NGO-Private partnerships, often caused by financial inequity and differing world views. There is potential for such partnerships to bring benefits to everyone – especially mutual clients”, says Jarrod.

This seminar will give practitioners valuable knowledge on how to support their clients, break down barriers and empower vulnerable families. They will provide information useful for social service practitioners, how changes to the Care of Children Act have rolled-out, the role of lawyers in the Family Court, an update on the Family Dispute Resolution Service and new measures around domestic violence, vulnerable children and victims of violence.

FREE WORKSHOP DATES & VENUES:

Napier - Monday 20 July 2015, 9 a.m. – Noon, Napier War Memorial Conference Centre

Wellington – Tuesday 21 July 2015, 9 a.m. – Noon, St Johns in the City

ENDS

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