Er. Barry Raldie
? ry Baldisara February 24, 1975

As you can see, o i
; . sce, Our greatest need is addiio Family
Counsellors, in comparison’ to other municipalities. mat Nemity Court

i trust this is Satisfactory to you.

Yours truly,
. fe ,
4 loa
RB Hi. Klassen,
Senior Probation Officer

EXK/vs

FAMILY COURT COUNSELLOR

(Job Description)

The Family Court Counsellor's present role in this comunity,
School District 743, is to facilitate services to fanilies
seeKing assistance with Court related probleus caused by
marriage breakdown within the framework of the Fanily
Relations Act and sections of the Unified Fanily Court Act.

The first contact with applicants for service is often
crisis counselling, as well as an assessment precess to
establish the kind of service required. In some cases it is
more appropriate to refer elsewhere; e.g. legal advice,
reconciliation counselling, Department of Human Resources,
ete.

When service is applied for with respect to separation,
maintenance, custody, access, restraining order and occunation
of the matrimonial home, pertinent information is recorded

and the Counsellor attempts conciliation. In most cases one
spouse applies for service, so the other is contacted in an
effort to reach a mitual consent by way of a No~Fault Sevaration
Agreement or Consent Order. Whenever possible, joint interviews
are encouraged so that information, rights, responsibilities

and resolutions can be discussed. im
If no resolution can be reached, the Application can proceed
to Court for disposition. This provedure, €.g. Surmons,
Court Appearance, Adjournment, Court Orders, etc., must also
be explained to both the Applicant and Respondent. Following
a Court appearance, the Counsellor will have to provide
explanations, help clients to understand the Court Order and
assist the family in living with the Order.

In some contested custody and access matters a Judge may order
2 formal, detailed custody report to be prepared by a skilled
and qualified Family Court Counsellor. A Fanily Cours
Counsellor also has a responsibility in the enforcement of
existing Family Court and Supreme Court Orders, variation of
Family Court Orders and with matters of keciprocation between
British Columbia and other Provinces and countries.