Dandjoo Bidiak is a Noongar phrase that means “together on a path” and is one of the therapeutic courts in which Legal Aid WA provides legal advice and support to clients. Its aim is to empower and support families, particularly First Nations families, in protection and care matters in the Perth Children’s Court by providing a culturally safe and respectful environment.
Since being established as a pilot program in July 2020, Legal Aid WA has given legal advice, representation, and support to families as they work with other legal sector providers, the Department of Communities – Child Protection and Family Services (CPFS) – and the Court in an informal court space where everyone has a say.
The court, which now runs four days a week, can cater for up to 40 families. It has seen positive outcomes for participating families. In the past year, Legal Aid WA lawyers at Dandjoo Bidi-Ak provided 165 duty lawyers services with more than 40 per cent of cases having positive outcomes.
The physical setting of the court plays a big part in this process, with everyone sitting together at a table with the Magistrate. The court itself is not a typical court room. The team strives to create an inclusive and welcoming space using Aboriginal art, books and other resources.
There are no court formalities, and each appointment starts with an Acknowledgement of Country, serving as a reminder of the cultural context and sensitivity required when participating in these conversations.
Legal Aid WA’s team at Dandjoo Bidi-Ak, both legal and social support, is there to support the client through their journey. Alongside the other organisations and the Magistrates, they provide holistic advice, information and support to problem-solve with the aim of reuniting families. They provide a wraparound service including legal and social support, and the team will often use the Blurred Borders legal resources to communicate key issues to clients to ensure they understand the situation and their options.
A session at Dandjoo Bidi-Ak is longer than a typical court appearance – sometimes an hour long – and a key feature is that the discussion is guided by the family’s concerns, experiences, and ideas for resolution of their problems. The yarning style of proceedings led by the family has seen an increase in families’ sense of empowerment, self-determination, and engagement in the process. When participants and their supports are actively involved in collaborating, there’s a greater sense of ownership of the process, stronger working relationships and enhanced parenting capacity.
For the Legal Aid team, witnessing the work the clients do to reunite their families is what is so rewarding.
| Renee is Legal Aid WA Social Support Worker (Dandjoo Bidi-Ak). She shares her perspectives. What is your role as a social support worker in Dandjoo Bidi-Ak? I support our clients when they come to court for their Dandjoo Bidi-Ak meeting. I sit with them when they are getting advice from their lawyer, and make sure they understand what is being said to them. I try to make clients feel comfortable and safe as many have been involved with CPFS for quite some time and may have been in care themselves. The whole court process can be very triggering and upsetting. A lot of the work I do with our clients is outside of their Dandjoo Bidi-Ak meeting. I like to meet them as early as possible in proceedings so I can see what work they need to do to try to be reunified with their children. I offer advocacy, guidance and support. I attend CPFS meetings with clients and help to bridge communication gaps. I also complete and follow up any referrals the client needs. I can generally do as little, or as much as the client needs, and depending on how much work they want to put in. I’m guided by the client about where they’re at in working towards reunification and what support they think will work for them. No two days are the same in my role. Some days can be taken up with multiple Dandjoo meetings in court which can be an hour long, or taking phone calls from distressed clients and putting out their spot fires! Our clients can be facing crisis and distress at any time. What difference is Dandjoo Bidi-Ak making? I believe Dandjoo Bidi-Ak gives our clients a stronger voice and gets more positive outcomes for our families. During a Dandjoo meeting we all sit at the same level. The clients feel they can talk directly to the Magistrate, and it is encouraged. We have got some amazing results with families being reunified with their children. After a Dandjoo meeting, we may be given next steps to be completed, so all parties are held accountable. I feel like this also helps the families feel they have a whole team behind them. I support our clients in completing their next steps. What is the best part about working in Dandjoo Bidi-Ak? I love working with our clients in this space. It is very rewarding when I can see clients doing the work to take positive steps towards reunification. It makes the job very worthwhile. Working alongside our lawyers is amazing. We get to work closely with our clients to support them, keeping them on track to achieve their goals. I also love the Dandjoo team at the court and working with the same Magistrates all the time. Dandjoo gives families a space where they can feel heard, and their strength is acknowledged. |
This story was first published in The Mention, Legal Aid WA’s monthly newsletter. It is republished here with permission.
