Project aims and approaches
The aim of the project
The aim of the project is to develop a series of evidence-based, easy-to-use practice standards that will be used by all the Integrated Family Violence Services for Women and Children.The standards will draw on the work already done in Victoria, around Australia and overseas, and reflect the legislative and other quality requirements already informing service’s work.
The standards will take into account the diversity of women’s and children’s cultural and social identities, for example:
- Women in same-sex relationships
- Women and children with disabilities
- Women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children
- Women and children from rural areas with less service and support options
The project also requires the development of detailed strategies for the implementation and review of the standards, as well as a training proposal to support implementation.
The approach being used
The approach to the project includes:
- Drawing on relevant work in relation to practice standards already done both in Australia and overseas
- Engaging leading thinkers and practitioners to provide timely and expert advice to the project, and take on a ‘champion’ role in their sectors once the standards are operational
- A highly consultative approach, engaging with providers and related stakeholders across Victoria to ensure the final product is relevant to the full range of practice settings
- Inclusivity as a key principle, ensuring the specific needs of women from diverse groups within the community are supported with in the practice standards
- A specific focus on the needs of Aboriginal women and children, achieved through the inclusion of Aboriginal consultant Karen Milward on the study team, targeted consultations, and specifically invited members of the EAG
An Expert Advisory Group has been convened to provide advice through the drafting, consultation and finalisation phases.
People have been invited to be part of the Expert Advisory Group based on their specific expertise in developing resources and or providing counselling and group work to women and children affected by family violence.
People have been invited to be part of the Expert Advisory Group based on their specific expertise in developing resources and or providing counselling and group work to women and children affected by family violence.
Members of the Group are:
- Fiona McCormack –CEO DV Vic
- Nancy Corbett – DVIRC
- Robyn Miller – Child Protection Principal Practitioner
- Rachael Green –Family Violence Coordination Unit DVC
- Rose Solomon –Elizabeth Hoffman House
- Joanne Donne- Connections
- Jo Howard/Michelle Wright –Inner South Community Health Service
- Sue Hughes Primary Health Counselling DHS Melbourne
- Karen Glennan- Barwon Colac Area Health
- Lynn Kelly –Australian Childhood Foundation
- Kim Robinson – Women’s Health West
- Kate Cannon- Berry Street
- Joanne Sheehan – Mallee Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit
- Sarah Waters –Family Life –Disability rep
- Diana Orlando – Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service
- Margaret Wallace – West Gippsland Healthcare Group
- Kylie Smith – Same Sex Family Violence –ALSO Foundation
- Jill Faulkner – Eastern Access Community Health
- Kaye Lavender – Central Hume Support Services
- Daphne Yarram- Gippsland Indigenous Healing Service
- Wendy Bunston – Children’s Mental Health Team Royal Children’s Hospital
- Margaret Heaton - Gatehouse Centre
- Muriel Bamblett - CEO, VACCA
- Colette Davis –NMIT – Training
- Jenny Willox – Manager - Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit