What is the Lighthouse Project in Family Law?

The Lighthouse Project is an Australian family law initiative designed to help identify and manage family law cases that involve high-risk factors, such as family violence, child abuse, or mental health concerns. It aims to provide early intervention, tailored support, and appropriate case management to families dealing with complex and sensitive issues.

Key Features of the Lighthouse Project:

1. Risk Screening: The Lighthouse Project uses a confidential risk screening tool called the Family DOORS Triage. When you file a family law application, you may be invited to complete this screening online. It asks questions to assess the risk of family violence, abuse, mental health issues, and other safety concerns. The screening helps the court identify high-risk cases early in the process.
2. Tailored Case Management: Based on the results of the risk screening, cases are triaged into different levels of risk:
   • High Risk: These cases are fast-tracked and given special attention to ensure safety concerns are addressed promptly. High-risk cases may be referred to specialized court lists like the Evatt List, which prioritizes matters involving serious family violence or child protection issues.
   • Medium Risk: These cases receive additional support and resources to help the parties manage their disputes while safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
   • Low Risk: Low-risk cases follow the standard court process but may still benefit from the resources and support provided under the Lighthouse Project.
3. Confidential and Voluntary: Participation in the Lighthouse Project is voluntary, and the information shared during the risk screening is confidential. It will not be used as evidence in court but helps the court determine how to manage your case safely and effectively.
4. Support Services: For cases identified as high or medium risk, the Lighthouse Project connects parties with support services. This might include referrals to family violence services, mental health professionals, or other community resources to help address underlying issues and protect the well-being of the family members involved.
5. Focus on Safety: A primary goal of the Lighthouse Project is to improve the safety of children and vulnerable individuals by ensuring that risk factors such as family violence or abuse are identified early and addressed through appropriate legal and non-legal interventions.

Benefits of the Lighthouse Project:

• Early Identification of Risks: The project allows the court to identify safety concerns at the start of a case, helping to protect children and vulnerable parties from harm.
• Improved Case Management: By triaging cases based on risk, the Lighthouse Project ensures that high-risk cases receive the attention and resources they need, while lower-risk cases are handled more efficiently.
• Access to Support Services: Families going through the family law system often face a range of emotional, psychological, and practical challenges. The Lighthouse Project helps connect families with the appropriate support services to address these challenges.
• Confidential and Protective: The confidentiality of the risk screening allows parties to be open and honest about their situation, without fear of the information being used against them in court. This helps the court better understand and manage the risks involved in the case.

How the Lighthouse Project Works:

1. Risk Screening: After filing your family law application, you will receive an invitation to complete the Family DOORS Triage screening online. The screening takes around 10 minutes and asks questions related to your family situation, including safety concerns, mental health, and any history of family violence.
2. Risk Assessment: Based on your responses, the court will categorize your case into high, medium, or low risk. This helps the court decide how best to manage the case and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.
3. Tailored Support: If your case is identified as high or medium risk, you may be offered additional support services, such as counselling, family violence support, or mental health resources. The court may also take steps to ensure that urgent safety issues are addressed quickly.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: For high-risk cases, the court may continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that safety concerns are regularly reviewed and that any necessary adjustments to orders or case management are made.

How to Prepare for the Lighthouse Project:

• Be Honest in the Screening: If you are invited to complete the Family DOORS Triage screening, it’s important to be as honest as possible. The more accurate your answers, the better the court can protect you and your family.
• Seek Legal Advice: Participating in the Lighthouse Project can help you receive the support and protection you need, but it’s also essential to have legal advice throughout the process. Your lawyer can guide you on how the Lighthouse Project works and how it may impact your case.
• Engage with Support Services: If the court refers you to support services, make sure to engage with them. These services can provide crucial assistance, whether you’re dealing with family violence, mental health challenges, or other issues affecting your family.

If you think the Lighthouse Project might apply to your case or if you have been invited to participate, feel free to contact us for further guidance. We can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the support you need.