Inquiry into legal privilege and integrated legal assistance services

Women's Legal's casework model is designed to provide integrated support to women and non-binary people who have experienced family and sexual violence. Lawyers, social workers and financial counsellors work together as a single team, sharing case notes, attending appointments where appropriate, managing risk and safety planning.

Integration is not an end, but a means to delivering better legal outcomes and safety with psychosocial support. This approach responds to the needs of clients which are numerous, complex, and often require interdisciplinary collaboration. Holistic support responds to the whole person and enables the resolution of non-legal issues that place clients in a better position to navigate the legal system and get better outcomes.

Integrated practice is trauma-informed and recognises that fragmented and high-demand services often operate in silos, increasing the risk that clients will not receive the support they need and preventing interventions to address legal harms before they escalate. It reduces the need for clients to re-tell their story to numerous professionals and ensures a client’s needs and
risks to their safety are collectively managed and understood by all professionals working with them.