Van Ingen and Van Ingen

This matter concerned orders made by Watts J regarding the living arrangements and time spent between the children, J, M, and S, and their applicant father, Mr Van Ingen, and respondent mother. The dispute centred on the terms and conditions under which the father would spend time with the children, particularly in light of his past convictions and placement on the Child Protection Register.

The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for the children's time with the father, including the duration of such time, the conditions of supervision, and the roles and responsibilities of both parents and approved adults. Key issues included defining who constituted an "approved adult," the nature of the supervision required, and the circumstances under which unsupervised time might be permitted. The court also had to consider the implementation of a Children's Protective Behaviour Course and the specific acknowledgments required from any approved adult supervisor.

Watts J made detailed orders concerning the children's residence with the mother and the phased introduction of unsupervised time with the father. The orders stipulated that for the initial periods, an approved adult, defined by a specific list including family members and professionals, must be in attendance in the general vicinity of the father. The nature of this supervision evolved over time, with increasing independence for the father, culminating in the possibility of unsupervised time when the children reached certain ages. The court also ordered that the father not attend children's birthday parties and that changeovers occur at the parties' homes with specific protocols. Furthermore, the mother was directed to ensure the children undertake a Children's Protective Behaviour Course, with the father responsible for the fees. Crucially, any approved adult supervisor was required to acknowledge the father's history and agree to specific supervision and reporting obligations.