We integrate into local health services to support those with health-harming legal issues.
Health justice partnerships recognise that many of the problems affecting a person’s health cannot be resolved by healthcare alone.
Issues such as poor‑quality housing, fines and debt, violence, abuse and neglect often require solutions outside the health system.
By connecting healthcare and legal assistance, we help address the root causes of disadvantage to improve both health and life outcomes.
Health Justice Partnerships in Action: Maternal & Child Health Services
Council-run Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services have been identified as a place where mothers often feel safe disclosing experiences of family violence, making them an important service for early legal intervention.
Southside Justice partners with MCH services in Port Phillip, Stonnington and Bayside to equip MCH nurses with the confidence to identify legal issues and refer mothers for legal help. Our discreet legal assistance can be offered onsite and supports mothers with expert legal information needed to make safe and informed decisions.
Read more about the impact of our health justice partnership with the City of Port Phillip MCH service here.
“Having a lawyer embedded within the Maternal and Child Health service has been transformative. It enables early intervention for family violence in a safe, discreet, and accessible environment – particularly for new mothers.”
– MCH Nurse, City of Port Phillip