A Family Reunification Order is made when the Magistrate believes that the child's safety and development are at risk and need protection.
The purpose of this order is for the Department to decide where the child will live and who will look after the child. The Department and the child's carers will be able to make day-to-day and short-term decisions relating to the child's care. Decisions about major long-term matters however need to involve the parents of the child. An example of a long-term matter is where the child will go to school - this is a decision that needs the parents' input. Other matters however, like health or following the conditions of the order, will not always require the input of the parents and this is permitted by the law.
The Children's Court may have further conditions included on the order. If there are conditions that relate to the care of the child, then those conditions must be followed. The worker is required to clearly explain these conditions and help both the child and their family to follow them.