Lighthouse information sheet for non-parent parties – risk screening

Lighthouse is an innovative approach taken by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to screen for risk, with a primary focus on improving outcomes for families.

Lighthouse risk screening

Lighthouse involves:

  • early, confidential risk screening through a secure online platform
  • early identification and management of safety concerns, and
  • triage and assessment of cases by a highly specialised team who direct appropriate resources and provide safe and suitable case management.

What is a non-parent party?

  • A non-parent party to the proceedings may include but is not limited to grandparents, aunts/uncles, elder siblings or kinship carers of the child/ren.
  • As a non-parent party, it may be that you are not currently the full-time carer or primary carer of the child/ren, or you may not be living with the child/ren.
  • As a non-parent party, you may be the Applicant to the Initiating Application, or you may be listed as a Respondent to the proceedings.

What is meant by ‘risk screening’?

  • Risk screening refers to the process taken to identify the likelihood of harm or exposure to a type of harm (child abuse and neglect, family violence, mental health issues and drug or alcohol misuse) experienced by a party or child in family law proceedings. This process involves completing an online risk screen questionnaire called the Family DOORS Triage1.
  • Whether a party to the proceeding is a parent or a non-parent of the child/ren, all parties are encouraged to complete a risk screening questionnaire so that the likelihood of harm or exposure to a type of harm experienced by a party or child in family law proceedings may be identified.
  • The Family DOORS Triage questionnaire can be completed safely and securely on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Although we ask that you complete the questionnaire, it is voluntary for you to do so. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
  • Completing the risk screen when you file your documents at the commencement of your proceedings, assists the Court in determining the most appropriate case management pathway for your family and identify any additional support that might assist in managing serious concerns for you or the children.

1 The DOORS Triage Tool: (2023 Implementation Version). McIntosh J.E., Lee, J., Welsh, E., Painter, F. & Ralfs, C., with contributions of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia including staff members Steele, B., Carmichael, J., and Evans E., Unpublished Instrument, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Canberra

Do I have to complete a risk screen if I am a non-parent?

  • While risk screening is voluntary, all parties including non-parent parties to the proceeding are encouraged to complete the risk screening process.
  • Non-parents are often involved in family law proceedings, and it is important that non-parents partake in the risk screening process so that any safety risks can be identified. Non-parent parties may be able to identify a range of safety risks that frequently arise in family law proceedings, including child abuse and neglect, family violence, mental health issues, drug or alcohol misuse and high conflict.
  • A non-parent party to the proceedings does not have to be living with the child/ren, seeking orders to live with the child/ren or to spend time with the child/ren to be eligible to participate in the risk screening process. Any non-parent party, despite the orders they are seeking, are eligible and are encouraged to complete the risk screen.
  • By completing a risk screen, you are increasing the opportunity of being provided with tailored support and referrals to support services for any needs or concerns identified during the risk screening process for you and the child/ren.
  • This risk screen assists the Court to identify the likelihood of harm or exposure to a type of harm experienced by the parties or the child/ren.

What happens to my risk screen?

  • A member of the Lighthouse Team will view the answers to your completed risk screen to assist in triaging your case according to risk. In some cases, a Triage Counsellor will be allocated to undertake further review and assessment of the risk identified. Other parties in your case will not be provided with your answers. The Judge, Senior Judicial Registrar, Judicial Registrar or other judicial officer presiding over your case will not be able to see your answers.
  • Your answers are confidential and cannot be used as evidence in your case or used against you by the other party under the Family Law Act 1975.

How will this affect my case?

  • If you are filing or responding to a family law parenting only or parenting and financial or property matter at the Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Dandenong, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Rockhampton, Sydney, Townsville and Wollongong family law registries, you will be asked to complete the Family DOORS Triage online risk screening questionnaire.
  • The questionnaire enables the Court to identify any risks you or the child/ren may be experiencing. After the questionnaire is completed, the Court are able to place cases onto an appropriate case management pathway, according to the risk level identified.
  • If the questionnaire is not completed by either party, your case will be managed in accordance with the Central Practice Direction – Family Law Case Management.

How does the triage process work?

  • The answers provided in your questionnaire guide the Court on the most appropriate case management pathway for your case.
  • A dedicated team within the Court will offer tailored support to you based on the level of risk identified.

What does the risk category mean for my case?

  • High risk cases receive early attention through an in depth Case File Review and if required, a 30 minute telephone appointment with a Triage Counsellor, who will conduct a follow-up risk assessment, develop a safety and wellbeing plan for you and offer referrals to support services. The Triage Counsellor may assist in ensuring that you can attend court safely and enable the development of safety plans. Your matter may also be referred to an Evatt Judicial Registrar for consideration for the Evatt List.
  • Medium and lower risk cases are offered online safety planning and service referrals as part of the Family DOORS Triage risk screening process and are considered for a range of case management pathways in accordance with the Central Practice Direction – Family Law Case Management.

What is the Evatt List?

  • The Evatt List is a specialist list, which involves early information gathering and active case management for serious high risk matters.
  • Your case may be allocated to the Evatt List if:
    • your case is filed at a relevant family law registry
    • your court documents seek parenting orders only or parenting and financial or property orders
    • either party in your case has completed the Family DOORS Triage risk screening questionnaire
    • the case has been reviewed by a Triage Counsellor, and
    • the Evatt Judicial Registrar has reviewed the case and determined it is appropriate for allocation to the Evatt List.
  • If you are allocated to the Evatt List, a formal Court Order will be made notifying you of this allocation. If you do not receive a formal Court Order, your Court date originally allocated and case management pathway will remain the same unless otherwise advised by the Court.

All Court Orders are accessible via the Commonwealth Courts Portal – www.comcourts.gov.au. For more information about accessing your orders see: How do I access my orders?

How will my case be affected if I am in the Evatt List?

  • As the Evatt List is designed for serious high risk cases, it is resource intensive and involves gathering information from state courts, child welfare authorities, police and other relevant bodies.
  • If your case is allocated to the Evatt List, you will receive more active case management from a dedicated team involving Judges, Senior Judicial Registrars, Evatt Judicial Registrars, Court Child Experts, and court staff.

More information

The following resources are available on the Court’s website:

This fact sheet provides general information only and is not provided as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, you should contact a lawyer before making a decision about what to do or applying to the Court. The court cannot provide legal advice

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