Education and Children portfolios
The Department of Education continued to run training via webinars, face-to-face workshops and e-Learns.
This training supported education workforces prescribed under phase 2 of CISS, FVISS and MARAM. It aimed to build capability in the implementation and use of the reforms.
The human resources eLearning module for managers and principals had 97 new completions in 2023–24. This brought the total number of completions of the module to 797 since it commenced in 2019. The module is for corporate managers, principals and school leaders who support staff experiencing family violence.
The department’s Respectful Relationships regional workforce continued to deliver training to Respectful Relationships school staff. This training:
- promoted a shared understanding of family violence
- focused on identifying and responding to disclosures of family violence.
Early childhood educators also received Respectful Relationships professional learning. This learning:
- promoted respectful relationships within the teaching approach
- strengthened educators’ capabilities to respond to disclosures of family violence
- covered how to make referrals to family violence response services.
The department engaged the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare to develop and deliver training for education workforces. This training helped participants understand screening, safety planning and making referrals and reports.
From October 2024, MARAM-nominated staff will receive training on updated guidance and tools. MARAM-nominated staff include staff that have a role that involves wellbeing. This includes wellbeing coordinators and leadership staff.
Child Protection portfolio
Child protection established a family violence community of practice in 2023. This is led by the Office of Professional Practice. It is for child protection practitioners and other staff who support family violence practice.
Information from the community of practice is provided via the Family Violence tile of the Child Protection Learning Hub.
Objectives of the community of practice include:
- facilitating a statewide dialogue about family violence practice
- providing safe and supportive learning environments for family violence practice
- embedding contemporary family violence practice frameworks
- sharing knowledge and resources to increase understanding of family violence
- supporting family violence practice leaders to embed and sustain practice change.
Hurstbridge Farm introduced MARAM eLearning training modules. These modules focus on practice development and continuous improvement.
Staff complete the modules on shift time during their induction. This ensures all staff have foundational knowledge of MARAM.
Secure Care Services will continue to conduct 6-monthly audits of MARAM eLearning module completion rates. This includes following up with staff to support 100% completion. This will be reported in 2024–25.
Forensic Disability portfolio
MARAM learning and development is part of the suite of learning for Forensic Disability Services.
Staff have completed both the MARAM victim-survivor and the MARAM Adults Using Family Violence training.
The training was either the identification level or intermediate level, depending on staff roles.
Forensic Disability Clinical Services recruited a senior psychologist. Among other duties, this role will lead feedback and debriefing with the clinical team.
Public Housing and Complex Needs Coordination portfolios
MARAM learning and development is part of the suite of learning for public housing and complex needs coordinators.
Staff have completed both the MARAM victim-survivor and the MARAM Adults Using Family Violence training at the identification level.
Housing portfolio
Homes Victoria funds and works with Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) to deliver information sessions and training. This aims to build the workforce’s understanding of MARAM in their role.
In 2023–24, CHP created a community of practice to integrate best practice in MARAM alignment. The group included MARAM leaders from across the Victorian specialist homelessness sector. It has met 6 times since October 2023.
During the year, the community of practice:
- provided feedback to FSV about the user experience of the MARAM tools in the Specialist Homelessness Information Platform
- promoted MARAM and information sharing of tools and resources
- developed strategies to improve The Orange Door and referral pathways.
Homes Victoria worked with framework organisations to implement MARAM. It supported them to apply the findings from program evaluations to revise policies, guidelines and practice. This work included the Tenancy Support Program and Supporting Safe and Productive Communities initiatives.
The scope involved:
- collaborating with stakeholders to shape new guidance documents or revise existing ones
- ensuring alignment with best practice
- meeting the evolving needs of victim survivors.
These efforts will be integrated with the Second rolling action plan 2023–2026 under Building from strength: 10-year family violence industry plan for family violence prevention and response.
Consumer Affairs Victoria portfolio
In 2023–24, community programs funded by Consumer Affairs Victoria enhanced consistent and collaborative practice.
This included work to create links with real estate agents to support victim survivors’ access to rental properties or maintain tenancies. This boosted victim survivors’ confidence to seek support from the Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program (TAAP).
Programs also engaged in working groups and partnerships. These covered the intersection of family violence, financial abuse and legal issues delivered by Financial Counselling Programs. They included laws relating to:
- family
- property
- tax
- small business
- insurance.
These groups also shared family violence case studies to advocate for change to systems that perpetrators use to commit financial abuse. This includes Australian Taxation Office and Australian Securities and Investments Commission systems.
Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria engages with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and the Magistrates’ Court. It creates clear pathways and processes to support victim survivors. It also ensures that victim survivors can receive culturally appropriate assistance.
Following the 5-year MARAM review, Consumer Affairs Victoria will focus on:
- supporting prescribed organisations with additional training, tools and resources
- consultation and practice guidance tailored to organisations’ roles and functions
- enhance information sharing and MARAM capability.
Consumer Affairs Victoria will also develop a roadmap for workforces who frequently interact with vulnerable consumers. This will boost family violence best practice.
Health portfolio
Ambulance Victoria
During 2023–24, Ambulance Victoria provided tailored and mandatory MARAM training for staff.
The organisation also progressed work to implement MARAM. This included:
- initial mapping and audit of the Adults Using Family Violence framework and tool
- review of clinical governance structures and clinical referral pathways to support secondary triage
- options for integrating training.
Ambulance Victoria regularly held meetings to:
- review progress with implementation
- identify challenges and risks
- discuss mitigation strategies.
Ambulance Victoria continued to strengthen its relationship with Family Safety Victoria, Victoria Police and family violence agencies.
In 2024–25 Ambulance Victoria plans to:
- employ dedicated family violence clinical governance officers to integrate MARAM into Ambulance Victoria’s practices
- address gaps in workforce knowledge and training
- focus on adults using family violence while aligning with current reform directions.
Health
The Department of Health’s role in leading MARAM implementation for health workforces transferred to Safer Care Victoria in 2023–24.
2023–24 also saw the launch of the new Strengthening Hospitals Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) model.
This model provides dedicated project funding for 8 public hospitals and health services. These organisations will lead work to embed the Adults Using Family Violence practice guides.
Practice leads worked alongside SHRFV statewide leads to support hospitals to understand, prepare for and implement Adults Using Family Violence practice.
This included 14 regional workshops for 146 attendees from 56 hospitals.
In 2024–2025, practice leads will build on this work to extend the reach and availability of Adults Using Family Violence resources to hospitals.
St Vincent’s Hospital developed the Family Violence Risk Identification Form (FVRIF). This clinical and data collection tool is aligned with both MARAM and the Family Violence Data Collection Framework.
It enables clinicians to identify and report MARAM-based risk factors from patients and families experiencing or using family violence.
The data can be represented visually and is readily available to the executive team.
There is a daily report and review of all FVRIFs completed.
Education about FVRIFs is included in staff orientation and mandatory training packages.
The MARAM FVRIF data is also collated and presented at a monthly meeting with the Family Violence Coordination and Response Group (FVCRG). This group comprises key stakeholders and managers.
This meeting focuses on risk management and follow-up. It proactively identifies emerging themes and educational needs.
The reporting has enhanced services through:
- more targeted training
- intervention improvement
- improved staff wellbeing and referrals
- improved information sharing.
The department also promoted the MARAM identification-level Family Violence Against Older People (Elder Abuse) eLearn course and a MARAM workshop on identifying and responding to financial abuse.
Mental Health portfolio
Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system is undertaking major reform as a result of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
Implementing family violence reform at the same time is challenging. However, the mental health workforce is committed to improving its response to family violence.
Feedback about MARAM training for health workforces is consistently positive. This is particularly the case for new practitioners or those wanting to improve their MARAM knowledge and skills.
The Centre for Mental Health Learning also had positive feedback about its work in 2023–24. In 2024–25, it will schedule additional sessions of its webinar and training resources for working with men who use family violence. This includes content on resisting collusion and motivating change.
A new 2-hour MARAM intermediate training program for mental health and wellbeing clinicians will continue during 2024-25.
Corrections and Justice Services portfolio
In 2023–24, the team:
- ensured all activities for the reform implementation across the corrections system adhered to MARAM
- created a centralised MARAM reform focus point
- provided input and change management expertise to implement MARAM within the corrections system
- monitored progress on MARAM and FVISS activities while managing emerging risks and issues.
Corrections Victoria undertook a pilot at a men’s medium security prison to test the MARAM implementation model and collect data. The pilot was a significant milestone in informing next steps for MARAM alignment in prisons.
Community Correctional Services went live with their revised MARAM tools and practice guidance in April 2024. This work will strengthen risk identification and management.
There are several family violence services available across the corrections system. This includes services for people using family violence and victim survivors who are either in prison or subject to the supervision of Community Correctional Services.
Programs for priority cohorts include:
- victim survivor programs
- perpetrator programs
- parenting and healthy relationships programs.
Corrections and Justice Services E*Justice Family Violence Screen project
The new screen will be a single source of all family violence and MARAM information for staff. Staff will also be able to collect and report on family violence data for the corrections system.
The MARAM implementation team engaged with stakeholders across Corrections and Justice Services.
The team also worked closely with their technology solutions partner. This included completing the design, function, development and testing of the solution. It also included commencing development of the eLearn.
Corrections and Justice Services will maintain good practice and continuous improvement by:
- progressing the E*Justice project to ensure identification of persons using family violence and victim survivors across the system
- releasing the E*Justice eLearn to support implementation of the new screen
- planning to implement the new E*Justice screen in phases with Community Correctional Services to go-live in early 2025 and Corrections Victoria to go-live in the future, in-order-to coincide with Corrections Victoria MARAM implementation.
- updating practice guidance to accommodate the introduction of the new E*Justice screen.
Victims portfolio
Victims Assistance Program (VAP) agencies have strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. These relationships support information sharing and collaboration when working with victims of family violence. They also support co-case management approaches.
VAP agencies meet regularly with stakeholders and networks. This includes with The Orange Door workforce. These meetings aim to boost effective referral pathways, information sharing, secondary consultations and best practice.
VAP agency leadership staff (program managers and team leaders) attend quarterly VAP Leadership Network meetings. These forums discuss MARAM and family violence practice.
The VAP Family Violence Practice Lead (FVPL) Network allows Helpline and VAP FVPLs to discuss practice dilemmas. This supports consistent practice across the state.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Victims Services Support and Reform will continue to provide comprehensive MARAM training to upskill existing staff. The Family violence practice manual will further support misidentification assessments by the Victims of Crime Helpline. This keeps perpetrators in view and accountable.
The Victims of Crime Helpline will also enhance collaborative practices by establishing pathways to redirect L17s to The Orange Door for child wellbeing responses. Manual information sharing pathways will ensure these referrals receive a holistic response from The Orange Door and child protection services.
This initiative aims to improve coordination and ensure comprehensive support for vulnerable young individuals affected by family violence.
Family violence practice leads working with the Victims of Crime Helpline complete assessments of L17 referrals. These assessments identify predominant aggressors. They are shared with The Orange Door and Victoria Police.
In 2023–24, the Helpline received 19,439 L17s. Practice leads identified that in 26.5% of these cases, the identified male affected family member was the person using violence.
Youth Justice portfolio
Youth justice will commence a project to analyse MARAM alignment and family violence practice across community, custody and central youth justice.
This project will identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen MARAM alignment.
Youth justice will then develop tailored resources and training. It will also update practice guidelines if required.
This analysis will be completed via self-assessments and interviews with youth justice representatives across each of the workforces.
Multicultural Affairs portfolio
FSV funds a consortium of social services organisations. This includes:
- Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC)
- AMES Australia
- Jewish Care.
The consortium supports support framework organisations in the multicultural and settlement sectors to align to the MARAM Framework.
This included conducting a survey of framework organisations.
The survey identified the benefits and challenges associated with MARAM alignment. It also captured each organisation’s knowledge and application of MARAM responsibilities.
As part of phase 2 alignment, FSV reviewed all existing funding arrangements within the Multicultural Affairs portfolio. This identified organisations for MARAM alignment.
FSV also reviewed the portfolio’s criteria for prescription of services and organisations.
The review will provide greater clarity on which organisations are required to prescribe. It will enhance framework organisations’ understanding of their responsibilities.
Any new funding and programs within scope will include MARAM requirements in program guidelines and funding agreements.
In 2024–25, DPC’s Multicultural Affairs portfolio will participate in the MARAM and Information Sharing Working Group.
Prevention of Family Violence portfolio
Plans for 2024–25 include:
- establishing a community of practice for priority workforces. This will foster learning, encourage collaboration and promote new ways to embed MARAM and information sharing
- establishing regular meetings with the Centre for Workforce Excellence. This will involve aligning training approaches and developing materials for accredited and non-accredited MARAM training. Training will include Victorian Government workforces and funded agencies
- redeveloping the original 5 core MARAM training packages. This work will reflect updated family violence data and research, consultation feedback and findings from the MARAM 5-year Evidence review
- continuing to implement recommendations from the 5-year Evidence review and Legislative review. Implementation plans will guide FSV’s work on recommendations over the coming years.
Findings from Evidence and Legislative reviews demonstrate that:
- MARAM is valuable and useful across sectors
- MARAM supports a shared understanding of family violence and improved system collaboration
- Information sharing is an essential enabler to MARAM. There have been no adverse impacts identified since the commencement of the reform.
FSV will further embed MARAM across framework organisations. This will improve practice and system responses to adults using family violence. It will also support organisations to keep adult and child victim survivors safe.
All The Orange Door sites include service system navigators who develop referral pathways to improve client outcomes.
On-site practice leaders also provide essential skills and support. This ensures the workforce can work safely with victim survivors of all ages. It also ensures that adults using family violence are engaged, connected and responsible for stopping their violence.
Practice leaders help to maintain culturally safe engagement with the Aboriginal community.
Courts portfolio
This year, the Magistrates’ Court finished implementing MARAM victim survivor tools and practice guidance across court operations, specialist courts and programs.
Requests for information under the FVISS and the CISS continue to increase, with a monthly average of around 4,200 requests.
The courts are developing the Courts Information Sharing Portal (CIS Portal). This secure, online tool will enable courts to share information under the FVISS and CISS faster and more efficiently. The CIS Portal will streamline administrative processes to help manage the high volume of requests.
Representatives from specialist venues of the Children’s Court of Victoria took part in surveys facilitated by Swinburne University and Safe and Equal. The survey findings will inform the development of risk identification and assessment tools as part of the MARAM Child and Young Person Practice Guides.
In 2024–25, the courts will:
- implement the Adults Using Family Violence practice guides
- maintain staff capability and ensure new court staff, including trainee court registrars, receive MARAM training
- update the client management database to include the MARAM Adults Using Family Violence tool.
Victoria Police portfolio
Highlights from 2023–24 include:
- The SIVO application (discussed in section 4) also features a compliance function. This enables supervisors to access real-time information about all applications and intervention orders requiring service. This is particularly crucial for pending court dates or intervention orders that have not yet been served.
- Victoria Police expanded the pool of employees who complete the MARAM Annual Survey to include:
- Family Violence Training Officers
- Interagency Information Sharing Service team members
- the Police Academy
- the Centre for Family Violence
- other frontline specialist members.
- The MARAM and Workforce Directors Group meets quarterly to provide strategic advice on the implementation of the MARAM Framework. This year, Victoria Police contributed to the development of MARAM practice guides and tools related to children and young people and adults using family violence. The group also engaged with partners to implement recommendations of the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor relating to the accurate identification of the predominant aggressor.
- An internal pilot program sought to examine police risk assessment decision making. This includes identifying opportunities for practice changes. It is part of broader work to strengthen the accurate identification of the predominant aggressor. A new practice guide for identifying the predominant aggressor is being developed for use in 2024–25.
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