Case 59: Single mother with a disability avoids having her daughter being removed from care

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A single mother with cerebral palsy was at risk of having her daughter being removed from care by child protection authorities. She needed to demonstrate that with the appropriate assistance she would be competent, both emotionally and physically, to care for her daughter. Her advocate used the Charter to communicate the woman’s rights at mediation in the Children’s Court, including her right to equality and to the protection of families and children. The woman was able to demonstrate her capacity to care for her child and child protection authorities are no longer involved.

Source: Leadership Plus, Submission to the Review of the Victorian Charter, 2011