Strengthening the capability of the people who work to prevent and respond to family violence is critical to reform success.
We are also building the family violence capabilities of workforces that intersect with family violence including community services, health, police, courts, schools and early years services.
The focus for the Rolling action plan is to continue to strengthen our specialist prevention and response workforces by:
- recruiting and retaining people with skills from diverse backgrounds
- working to create clear career pathways that develop expertise and knowledge
- providing training and skills development
- creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported.
Key activity in 2022
- In 2022, over 1,700 individuals completed the course in Identifying and Responding to Family Violence Risk. This free TAFE course delivers foundational family violence knowledge and skills to undertake MARAM screening and identification. It is targeted to universal services workers.
- We delivered the Fast Track Program, supporting 127 mid-career and senior practitioners to develop skills and capabilities in family violence prevention and response. Program participants directly attribute workplace achievements to the confidence and capabilities gained through the Program.
- In July 2021, the Mandatory Minimum Qualifications Policy for specialist family violence response practitioners commenced with a five-year transition period. Under the policy, new specialist family violence practitioners must hold a minimum of a social work degree or equivalent qualification or be working towards this. Almost $2 million in adjustment funding was distributed across 78 organisations.
- In partnership with 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, we delivered a scholarship program for 33 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to support them meeting the Mandatory Minimum Qualifications Policy. The scholarship program builds on the existing investment in upskilling and expanding the Aboriginal family violence workforce.
- The Family Violence and Sexual Assault Traineeships Program piloted, with 312 trainee places funded across 31 family violence, sexual assault, primary prevention and community services organisations to support workers undertake further education and training.
- In 2022, 52 graduates and 57 trainees commenced in funded roles designed to build capacity within the family violence, sexual assault and prevention sector.
- We published the Family violence workforce health, safety and wellbeing guide. The guide provides evidence-based tools and guidance that recognise the health, safety and wellbeing impacts experienced by the family violence workforce. It supports promoting and protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of employees in the workplace and enables practitioners and organisations to become advocates for workplace health, safety and wellbeing.
Updated