Health Justice Partnership Report
This year saw the conclusion of our two-year Health Justice Partnership (HJP) with Grampians Community Health (GCH). The Health Justice Partnership is a collaboration between the Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service (BGCLS) and GCH. The HJP allows a Lawyer to become immersed in the day to day functions of a Community Health Service, providing services to clients in the Grampians Region. BGCLS provided a lawyer based at the Stawell Campus of GCH to provide assistance to clients of GCH with a focus on those experiencing Family Violence. The partnership was supplemented by outreach family violence duty services provided to clients in Horsham and Ararat.
The program allowed us to have a physical presence within the Grampians and Wimmera region and to develop relationships within the Family Violence team of GCH. Having a lawyer working closely with the support workers meant that clients received a more holistic service and were able to stay more engaged with their legal matters.
Overall the HJP provided 410 services in the region, with clients located in areas ranging from Casey (inner Melbourne) to Tatiara DC (Bordering LGA in South Australia); however, most clients that utilised the service were from the Grampians and Wimmera regions.
BGCLS would like to thank our funders Department of Justice & Community Safety and GCH for their role in the project.
The program allowed us to have a physical presence within the Grampians and Wimmera region and to develop relationships within the Family Violence team of GCH. Having a lawyer working closely with the support workers meant that clients received a more holistic service and were able to stay more engaged with their legal matters.
Overall the HJP provided 410 services in the region, with clients located in areas ranging from Casey (inner Melbourne) to Tatiara DC (Bordering LGA in South Australia); however, most clients that utilised the service were from the Grampians and Wimmera regions.
BGCLS would like to thank our funders Department of Justice & Community Safety and GCH for their role in the project.
"The Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance is a partnership for organisations, businesses, clubs, groups and networks from across the Grampians Region that share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities. All member organisations have committed to the vision and goals outlined in the Communities of Respect and Equality: A plan to prevent violence against women and their children.
The Ballarat Family Law Pathways Network, is one of over 30 Pathways Networks around Australia funded by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department, was established in 2010 to support professionals working with these families in the Ballarat, Central Grampians and the Wimmera region. Centacare Ballarat is the auspice agency for the Ballarat Family Law Pathways Network.
The Ballarat Network has provided a fantastic opportunity for cross sector training and networking for BGCLS staff at events held in Ballarat and Horsham. These events provide information about local services and specific programs relating to family law and or family violence.
The Ballarat Network has provided a fantastic opportunity for cross sector training and networking for BGCLS staff at events held in Ballarat and Horsham. These events provide information about local services and specific programs relating to family law and or family violence.
The collaboration between BGCLS and Parent Place aims to address the gap in family law and family violence legal representation and advice for vulnerable parents and families in the City Of Ballarat.
The program plays a vital role in prevention and response to family violence and addressing family law concerns within the Maternal and Child Health context by increasing the capacity of staff to respond to families experiencing family violence through training and professional development, while also providing discrete legal support in a safe setting for our community.
The program has been well received by staff, stakeholders and the families that have utilised the service. We look forward to further enhancing the partnership next year.
The program plays a vital role in prevention and response to family violence and addressing family law concerns within the Maternal and Child Health context by increasing the capacity of staff to respond to families experiencing family violence through training and professional development, while also providing discrete legal support in a safe setting for our community.
The program has been well received by staff, stakeholders and the families that have utilised the service. We look forward to further enhancing the partnership next year.
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To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/