Legal audits and supporting victims of crime
These guidelines describe non-government agency roles in making a referral for a Legal Audit of a young person’s file and recommendations for an application to Victims Services.
Legal audit from age 15 years
Children or young people who are the subject of a Final Order allocating parental responsibility to the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services for a period of 2 years or more and are aged 15 years or older, or will leave care in less than 3 years, must be referred to DCJ Legal Services for a legal audit of their file.
If the child or young person falls into either of these categories, the following process is to be followed:
- Complete the NGO referral form for a legal audit and email it to the CFDU. Include any information known about siblings so that sibling groups are audited at the same time.
- Forward all files and relevant information to DCJ Legal Services within 10 working days of the confirmation of the audit. (Note: the legal practitioner will return any files/data storage device by courier to the OOHC service provider within 10 working days of the completion of the audit).
- If further evidence is required, advice will be provided to the OOHC Service Provider within 15 working days of actions to be taken to obtain further evidence. If further evidence is required from the OOHC service provider, it is to be forwarded to DCJ Legal Services within 10 working days of the request.
While a legal audit may result in an application to Victims Services it is not part of the Victims Services application process. Eligibility for Victims Services support might be identified by other means. Further information about services and eligibility can be found on the Victims Services website.