Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Alice [2024] NSWChC 12

Children's Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Alice [2024] NSWChC 12 Hearing dates: 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25 June 2024 Date of orders: 7 August 2024 Decision date: 07 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Care and protection Before: Judge Skinner, President of the Children's Court of NSW Decision: There is no realistic possibility of the restoration of Alice to her mother or father within a reasonable period. All aspects of parental responsibility for Alice are allocated by a guardianship order to the paternal grandparents until Alice reaches the age of 18 years. Catchwords: CHILDREN – Care and protection – best interests – safety, welfare and wellbeing – paramountcy principle – permanent placement principles – unacceptable risk Legislation Cited: Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) Cases Cited: DCJ and Bloom [2021] NSWChc 2 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Secretary (Department of Communities and Justice) The Father The Mother The Paternal Grandparents Alice (Young person) Representation: Counsel: Mr Anderson (Secretary) Ms Stolier (Mother)

Solicitors: Ms Smith (Secretary) Ms Giblin (Mother) Ms Peters (The Independent Legal Representative for Alice) File Number(s): 2022/00164714 Publication restriction: Pseudonyms have been used for the children and family members.