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The law on child protection gives parents the right to be involved in, and have a say about, what happens to their child when in care.

While your child's safety and welfare must come first, you still have the right to:

apply to the Children’s Court to appeal the order placing your child or children in care
be told where your child is unless DoCS believes that this information would harm the safety, welfare and wellbeing of your child or their carer
be given information about your child’s carer unless DoCS believes this would harm the safety, welfare and wellbeing of your child or the safety of the carer and their family
be informed of your child’s progress and development during their placement
ask DoCS for services which could help your child to return to your care.

Almost all major decisions about your child in care will be discussed at a case planning meeting, which you are invited to attend.

Types of decisions discussed at a case planning meeting can include:

change of your child’s school
your child going away on camp that is for one week’s duration or more
approval for enrolment in a private school
your child’s wish to marry before they are 18
consent for your child’s surgery
deciding to remove your child from a particular foster care placement
approval to change your child’s name
approval for your child to enlist in the armed forces
approval for your child to enter an apprenticeship
your child’s carer planning to travel or move interstate
your child’s carer applying for a passport and/or wanting to obtain a passport on behalf of your child in care
the carer is considering making application for sole parental responsibility of your child.