This service provides early, non-legal advocacy and support to families who are involved in the child protection system. IFAS has a focus on parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and parents with an intellectual disability. IFAS also provides coaching for self-advocacy for CALD, family violence, LGBTQI, mental health and other disabilities.
IFAS is a three year pilot service and will be working with families who live and work in the local government areas of Darebin, Moreland and Bendigo. IFAS can support families by providing families with information about the child protection system, parents and families’ rights and responsibilities within the child protection system, referrals to legal and other supports, as well as tools and coaching for self-advocacy and direct advocacy where appropriate.