Chapter 4: Continuous Improvement

Strategic priority 4: Recognition of good practice and commitment to continuous improvement

MARAM is an evolving reform. We are continually working to improve it.

A key part of any reform is making sure professionals understand change and how to apply it in practice.

To support this, we regularly publish updated practice guidance to help professionals apply MARAM effectively in their work.

Continuous improvement highlights from 2024–25

  • The Education portfolio is updating the PROTECT website. This is to reflect Child Safe Standards and several child safety frameworks including MARAM, CISS, FVISS and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
  • In the Health portfolio:
    • the Centre for Mental Health Learning updated resources on coercive control for AOD services. It also tailored materials for infant, child and youth mental health workforces. Specialist family violence advisers supported this process.
    • family violence coordinators within the Department of Health worked on a new client management system. The new system includes features to identify family violence risk.
  • In the Victim Services portfolio, the Victims of Crime Helpline’s practice leaders and senior leaders strengthened MARAM practice by improving guidance on complex referrals. They updated the L17 triage process for faster and more appropriate responses for male victim survivors.
  • To streamline information sharing, the Courts portfolio launched a new portal. The portal is an online smart form that allows requests for court information under the FVISS and CISS.
  • Community Corrections Services (CCS) gained access to the L17 portal. This helps staff better access and manage family violence risk.

Actions from the MARAM Legislative and Evidence reviews

The Legislative review of family violence information sharing and risk management: reviewing the effectiveness of Parts 5A and 11 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)[1] (the Legislative Review), and the Victorian Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework 5-year Evidence Review[2] (the MARAM Evidence Review), recommended improvements.

This included changes to practice guidance, legislation and ministerial guidelines to strengthen understanding of the reforms and accountability of framework organisations.

Actions in 2024–25 to address recommendations included:

  • updates to child-and-young-person focused practice guidance began responding to recommendations on the experiences of children and people and Aboriginal and diverse communities. DFFH will release this new guidance in 2026
  • work commenced on a refresh of the Family violence information sharing ministerial guidelines to make them clearer and easier to use
  • DFFH, in partnership with Safe and Equal, commenced a refresh of the 5 original non-accredited MARAM training packages.

In addition, in 2024–25, work on the model of alignment policy included:

  • a one-year improvement cycle. This supports framework organisations with sustainable, continuous improvement. It relates to policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools
  • maturity and self-assessment tools. These establish a common language about MARAM alignment. They allow organisations to identify their progress and areas for improvement
  • redeveloping resources, such as the Organisational embedding guide. This supports framework organisations to apply the new model of alignment.

The policy is due for completion and release in 2026. DFFH is consulting with peak bodies, principal strategic advisers, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations and government departments.

Continuous improvement case study – Victoria Police

Victoria Police Interagency Information Sharing Services (IISS) engaged with stakeholders across the sector. This work improved capabilities and the quality of information requests from Information Sharing Entities (ISEs).

In 2024–25, the team launched an automation project. This extracts risk data directly into report compilation. It reduces manual handling for team members.

Since the project commenced, productivity has increased by approximately 10%. This is a significant gain, given IISS processed nearly 10,000 FVISS and CISS reports in 2024–25.

This year, the team also published a video for external ISEs. It supports them to request information from Victoria Police under FVISS and CISS.

You can view the video on YouTube: Request information from Victoria Police under the Family Violence Child Information Sharing Schemes

Continuous improvement plans for 2025–26

The Prevention of Family Violence portfolio will:

  • conduct an internal evaluation of the effectiveness of Central Information Point brief reports
  • release the Child and young person practice and Family Violence Information Sharing guidelines
  • release the Identification and Intermediate adults using family violence risk assessment tools in SHIP
  • deliver the MARAM predominant aggressor Identification tool across The Orange Door network.

The Housing portfolio will launch an intranet site. This will consolidate information sharing resources, the MARAM Practice Guide and other materials in one central location. The portfolio will share an adapted MARAM eLearn training to the Community Housing Industry Association Victoria’s eLearn platform for member access.

Ambulance Victoria will roll out the mandatory Clinical Information System data fields alongside staff training in culturally safe care. This will ensure patient care is inclusive, visible and respectful.

The Courts portfolio will use the information sharing portal to analyse data trends and demand. It will share insights with reform leads, DFFH and the Department of Education.

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