Develop a workforce development and training strategy to support the Common Risk Assessment Framework

Implemented

Who is leading the change

Family Safety Victoria

The Victorian Government implement the revised Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework and develop a sustained workforce development and training strategy as part of the recommended family violence industry plan. The framework should provide for:

minimum standards and core competencies to guide identifying, risk assessment and risk management practice in family violence specialist services, mainstream services and universal services
whole-of-workforce training for priority sectors—including general practitioners and hospital, mental health, drug and alcohol, child protection, aged care and disability workers—that takes into account and aligns with their roles and standards of practice

A workforce development strategy has been developed to embed the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) across the service system. This strategy was developed in conjunction with departments and informed by consultation with key sector partners.

The workforce development strategy is a core component of the 10-Year Industry Plan, as outlined in Recommendation 207. The first action plan of the Industry Plan, Strengthening the Foundations: First Rolling Action Plan 2019-2022 was launched in November 2019.

The MARAM includes operational practice guidance for all key sectors, including minimum standards, core competencies, and roles and responsibilities for identifying, assessing and managing the risk of family violence (including in multi-agency arrangements and across the spectrum of risk).
A coordinated plan has been developed to deliver general and tailored training and supports for services prescribed under the MARAM and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) and Child Information Sharing Scheme. As at November 2019, over 2,000 professionals had been trained in the MARAM.

Building on FVISS, an integrated training package was rolled out for face-to-face delivery for 10 weeks from October 2018. This training included FVISS, Child Information Sharing Scheme and foundational elements of the MARAM Framework. This training is now available online via e-learns and beyond that departments are responsible for development and delivery of information sharing training.

A suite of accredited units of competency in family violence risk assessment and risk management are also in development. The first of this suite achieved accreditation in April 2019.

A key feature of the MARAM Framework is a maturity approach to alignment, recognising the different starting points of different sectors and the differing expectations imposed by the Framework in relation to family violence practice. This means that organisations will be expected to continuously improve their alignment over time, rather than being expected to be fully aligned from commencement.

Updated 18 May 2020