Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

To be appointed as an ICL, it is mandatory to have a minimum of five years experience in family law and to have successfully completed National Legal Aid's ICL training program. The training program covers topics on child development, child trauma and other matters that are essential to ICL work. ICLs also undertake additional training as part of ongoing professional development and may access guidance materials and professional support in the court of their work. The Guidelines for Independent Children's Lawyers and the Independent Children's Lawyer Practice Standards and Guidelines also provide guidance to ICLs on how to undertake their duties and safely and appropriately engage with children. ICLs may work with support from social scientists, such as psychologists employed by the legal aid commissions, or may use other sources, such as a school counsellor or a psychologist, when meeting with children. This will depend on the child's needs.