Parenting Orders Program - QLD

"Keeping up Contact", the Parenting Orders Program is run by Relationships Australia (QLD) with funding provided by the Australian Attorney-General's Department. This funding is administered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The program aims to help families who have difficulty, or experience conflict, in adhering to child residence and contact orders made by the court or as agreed by the parents themselves in out of court contact arrangements. The program is particularly intended for parents who are at risk of being contravened by a court for breaching child contact orders.

What does the program aim to achieve?

The program aims to assist separated parents to:

• better understand their role in co-parenting arrangements,
• improve their communications,
• avoid or reduce conflict regarding their co-parenting, and
• give their children the maximum support, care and guidance which the children need as they live in and move between each of their parent's homes.

The program emphasises the rights children have to be parented by both their mother and father and the benefits that children gain from being cared for by both of their parents.  The program also highlights the responsibilities which both parents have to their children and their responsibility to work together as best they can for their children's care, welfare and development.

Who is eligible for the program?

Any member of a family who has experienced separation and who is having difficulty keeping to court orders or other arrangements about children's residence and contact is eligible for the Parenting Orders Program. Relationships Australia's goal is to involve both parents whenever possible. When it is appropriate, we will also involve the children who are adversely affected by the conflict, strife or negativity which accompany their parent's interactions around contact.

How do people get into the program?

Some parents will come into the program voluntarily or be referred by their lawyer, a court official, Legal Aid, or another community or government agency. Others will be ordered to participate by the Family Court or the Federal Magistrates Court. All those accepted into the program will first have an intake and assessment interview to determine their suitability for participation in the program and to ensure they understand their responsibilities if they agree to participate. This interview will also enable each parent to identify the goals they want to achieve from the program and how and when they will meet with their case coordinator during the program to check on their progress towards the outcomes they are aiming for.

How much does it cost?

There will be no fees or charges for people accepted into the program as it is intended by government to be a fully funded program for those who agree to be involved in it. Wherever possible, clients will be able to access services from a Relationships Australia branch office which is nearest to where they live or work, minimising their travel costs and the time involved for them.

What is involved for clients accepted into the program?

Parents who agree to enter the program will be involved in some parenting education, participating in facilitated groups with other parents who face similar struggles and issues. Individual assessments will also be made for each family, and if family or individual counselling, family dispute resolution or conciliation is appropriate, these services will be organised by the client's case coordinator and provided by other professional workers of Relationships Australia.

Where is the program operating?

For an up-to-date list of all of the Relationships Australia branch offices that offer the Parenting Orders Program, please call 1300 364 277.

How do I register for the program or get more information about it?

All enquiries for information about the Parenting Orders Program should be made by calling us on 1300 364 277.