Introduction

Regional integration governance structures have been underpinning the delivery of family violence reform for well over a decade. Established in 2006, Family Violence Regional Integration Committees (FVRICs) were established to improve the integration of services, playing a vital role in the transformation of Victorian service delivery and community responses to family violence. Since their inception FVRICs have played a system leadership role focussed on increasing the safety of victim survivors and accountability of perpetrators.

The recommendations of the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence (RCFV) have driven far-reaching reform within the Victorian family violence service system. Regional integration plays a critical role in implementing the reform agenda, and in recognition of this Family Safety Victoria (FSV) has led a process to review the 2013 Regional Family Violence Integration Operational guidelines (the guidelines) to articulate the role of FVRICs in the current reform context.

In 2021, 13 FVRICs operate across the 17 Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Areas. Funding is provided by FSV to support their operation including the co-ordination role of the Principal Strategic Advisor (PSA) positions and area-based projects.

The redevelopment of these guidelines has been supported by a Reference Group with representation from FSV, DFFH Areas, Safe and Equal (formerly Domestic Violence Victoria), FVRIC Chairs, auspice agencies and the PSAs.

Purpose of these guidelines

These guidelines outline FSV’s expectations of FVRICs and provide guidance for key stakeholders, including FVRIC members, Chairs, PSAs, auspice agencies, and DFFH Areas.

The guidelines outline:

• the role FVRICs play in contributing to the design, implementation and monitoring of statewide family violence policy and reforms
• the strategic priorities of FVRICs which support strategic leadership and cross sector collaboration within local service systems
• the approach to strategic planning
• governance arrangements
• the frequency and types of required reporting.

By aligning their approaches and priorities with these guidelines, FVRICs will take on greater consistency and will collectively build knowledge about successful strategies to drive systemic improvements.

The guidelines also describe how local system knowledge informs statewide planning and policy development through the engagement of FVRICs with FSV and peak bodies, and participation in state-wide forums.

Review of guidelines

The guidelines will be formally reviewed in three years with the review to be completed by the end of 2025. If updates or amendments are required earlier (outside of the review process), these will be considered and endorsed by FSV. FSV will communicate any amendments as supplements to this version.