WATCHMAN & CARTER

In proceedings before Burr J, the mother alleged that the father had sexually and physically abused the children, and raised concerns about the impact of his parenting behaviours, particularly in light of one child's ADHD diagnosis. The dispute concerned interim orders regarding the children's living arrangements, contact with the father, and therapeutic interventions.

The court was required to determine the interim orders that would best serve the children's welfare and best interests, considering the serious allegations made by the mother and the potential impact on the children. This involved assessing the appropriate living arrangements, the conditions under which any contact between the father and children should occur, and the necessity of therapeutic interventions for the father.

Burr J reasoned that the children's best interests necessitated orders for them to live with the mother and for the father to engage in therapeutic counselling. The father's supervised time with the children was made conditional upon his commencement and continuation of counselling, the availability of support for one child from an IKids counsellor prior to re-introduction of supervised time, and that such time be supervised at a designated children's contact service. The court also imposed injunctions restraining the father from attending the mother's home or the children's school, and both parties from discussing the proceedings with the children or removing them from South Australia without consent. Further steps included reports from the contact service and a Section 11F conference.