Parramatta, Surry Hills, Campbelltown, Broadmeadow, Woy Woy, Wyong, and Port Kembla Children's Courts have a Children's Court Assistance Scheme (CCAS). The CCAS workers can assist the lawyers and the court but their main job is to help you while you are at court.
When you arrive at court, the CCAS workers will sign you in. They can help you fill out the legal aid forms and will normally let your lawyer know that you are there.
While you wait for your matter to be dealt with at court, CCAS workers can help you:
- find a place to live if you are homeless or'couch surfing'
- get counselling or mediation if you haveproblems at home with your family
- find the right service if you have an alcohol or drug problem.
CCAS workers can't give you legal advice, like what you will get for your sentence or whether you should plead guilty or not guilty. But if you didn't understand what your lawyer told you, they can ask the lawyer to speak to you again and explain more clearly.
If you have to come to court by yourself or even if you just want some extra support, you can ask the CCAS worker to come into court with you.
Don’t be afraid to ask the CCAS workers if you need help with something. That’s why they are there.
There are Children’s Court Assistance Schemes providing services in the following NSW locations:
- Central Coast: Wyong, Woy Woy, Broadmeadow
- Illawarra: Port Kembla
- Macarthur: Campbelltown
- Western Sydney: Surry Hills and Parramatta
For more information, please call the relevant Children’s Court Assistance Scheme Coordinator.
- Illawarra Legal Centre: (02) 4276 1939
- Western Sydney Legal Centre: (02) 8833 0911
- Macarthur Legal Centre: (02) 4628 2042
- Central Coast Community Legal Centre (for services at Central Coast and Hunter): (02) 4353 4988
Where can I get more help?
| Organisation | Information | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid Youth Hotline | The hotline provides legal advice and information to young people under 18. It operates 9am to midnight weekdays, with a 24-hour service from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight and also on public holidays. | Phone: 1800 10 18 10 |
| Law Access NSW | Provides free telephone legal information and referrals to other services, including to your nearest Legal Aid NSW office, Community Legal Centres, private lawyers and other organisations that can help. | Chat to our team by clicking on 'Chat with us' on the right or by calling 1300 888 529 Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm. |
October 2023