Confidence

As illustrated in Figure 9, overall, around three-in-five respondents within the specialist family violence response workforce indicated that they were ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ confident that they have had enough training and experience to perform their role(s) effectively (61%). In contrast, just 9% reported that they were ‘slightly’ or ‘not at all’ confident.

Around three-in-five respondents within the specialist family violence response workforce indicated that they were ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ confident that they have had enough training and experience to perform their role(s) effectively (61%). In contrast, just 9% reported that they were ‘slightly’ or ‘not at all’ confident.

Q37. In relation to family violence response, how confident are you that you have had enough training and experience to perform your role(s) effectively?

Confidence levels varied across some demographic cohorts, including:
- Age – confidence increased with age (59% for those aged under 35, 62% for those aged 35-54, and 66% for those aged 55+).
- Years of Experience – a similar trend was found in relation to years of experience. Respondents with 1 year of experience or less were substantially less confident than those with more experience.
- Gender – although a small proportion of the overall workforce (12%), males were considerably less confident compared to females (49% versus 63%).
- Organisation type – see Table 4 (on page 28) for details

Respondents within the specialist family violence response workforce felt that the following additional support would be most useful in increasing their confidence in performing their role(s) (see Figure 10):

collaboration with other service providers (46%);
community of practice for specialist response workers (34%); and
improved organisation policies, procedures and practice guidance (33%).

Figure 10: Additional support required to increase confidence.

Conversely, fewer than one-in-three respondents indicated that further training, increased mentoring / supervision or shadowing would be beneficial in this context. Furthermore, 13% reported that they felt sufficiently confident in their role, and therefore did not require additional support.

Results differed by age – younger respondents aged under 35 were considerably more likely than older respondents aged over 55 to report that they would benefit from shadowing experienced practitioners (41% versus 17%), improved organisation policies, procedures and practice guidance (47% versus 32%), and increased supervision (28% versus 15%).

Updated 9 July 2021