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Non-legal advocacy group diverts families from courtroom, keeps costs low
Victoria Legal Aid has joined a non-legal advocacy group in calling on the state government to expand the service after its pilot program was successful in diverting one-fifth of its clients away from the court system and significantly limiting costs.
Naomi Neilson
A three-year evaluation of the Independent Family Advocacy and Support (IFAS) service by RMIT University found the pilot was successful in supporting parents and carers during the investigation phase of the child protection system and ultimately diverted them away from the costly and stressful court system.
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IFAS provides non-legal advocacy to clients in the early stages of child protection involvement, but has suggested broadening its support during the trial. One parent commented in RMIT’s report that having someone’s support who’s “not going to judge or be biased” is really comforting during the proceedings.
RMIT University’s Dr Chris Maylea commented: “We estimate IFAS is stopping one-fifth of families it works with from going into expensive, difficult court proceedings. That’s why we’ve recommended it [be] expanded to cover all eligible families.”
Based on its available data, the evaluation team found that not only was the diversion rate at 20 per cent, but based on its advocate’s self-assessment, “the rate may be higher, closer to 45 per cent”. RMIT said that more appropriate referrals and increased relationships with stakeholders could increase that rate.
The research also found that by helping at least 20 per cent of families avoid a courtroom, IFAS saves the Victorian government $2.66 for every dollar invested. It can also reduce the length of time that child protection is involved with families.
To support the program beyond its three current pilot areas, RMIT University recommended the IFAS expand its priority group to include people experiencing mental health issues, drug abuse and people experiencing family violence. Currently, it prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with disabilities.
RMIT also recommended IFAS working with child protection networks to increase its workforce knowledge about its advocacy model and for it to continue consulting its lived experience consultants and client advisory group to meet the needs of families.
Victoria Legal Aid’s Independent Mental Health Advocacy manager Helen Makregiorgos said that while the government’s funding support is welcome, more will need to be done to service families from across the state.
“The Victorian government recently recognised the value of IFAS by funding us to continue for another three years, but we receive calls from parents around the state who request our help and, at the moment, we aren’t resourced to meet those needs,” she said.
