Identify child abuse in the family

If you have a concern that a student is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing, family violence, any school staff member can record relevant information in the Family Violence Identification Tool. This tool can be used to identify abuse for any concern where the source of abuse is within the family.

You are not expected to ask the student, or a member of their family, any questions to complete this tool.

Once completed, provide the tool to your school’s MARAM nominated staff member.

MARAM nominated staff can use the Family Violence Screening Tool to ask screening questions to determine if family violence is occurring.

MARAM nominated staff members complete this tool if you:

• receive a completed Family Violence Identification Tool from a staff member
• receive a disclosure
• observe signs of trauma for a child or young person or family violence risk factors
• observe narratives (e.g. statements or stories) or behaviours that indicate an adult is using family violence.

MARAM nominated staff can organise a conversation with the student (or adult victim survivor) if safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so.

Your primary responsibility is always to ensure the safety of the student. Do not engage with the student or their family if:

• it is unsafe. For example, if
  • it is likely to jeopardise a child’s wellbeing or safety or place another person at risk of harm
  • timeliness is an issue, such as when there is an immediate risk
  • you are assessing or managing risk to another person
  • you suspect the person you need to talk to is using family violence.
• it is unreasonable. For example, if you are unable to contact them
• it is inappropriate. For example, if a young person is living independently and their family members no longer have access to their personal information.

When completing this tool MARAM nominated staff can also talk to other school staff who may have relevant information.

The Family Violence Screening Tool will inform the MARAM nominated staff of the next steps.

MARAM nominated staff can also use the Family Violence Basic Safety Plan tool to plan for the student’s safety at school and have a once-off conversation about safety at home. However, it may be more appropriate to do this at a later time - see support.

For more information on how to complete the Family Violence tools, refer to Information Sharing and Family Violence Reforms: Guidance and Tools.

Engage school staff with information sharing responsibilities to request information from other ISEs.

ISEs include services that work with children, young people and families, such as:

• schools
• kindergartens
• long day care
• out of school hours care (OSHC)
• Child Protection
• youth justice
• Maternal and Child Health
• public hospitals
• Victoria Police
• Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP)
• Social Services Regulator (SSR).

See workforces prescribed as ISEs.

Engage school staff who are Child Link Users, as it is important to check Child Link for service sector involvement.

If there is an active Child Protection case with the student or their family, contact Child Protection immediately for advice on next steps. You should still complete the tools to identify family violence.

To share information safely and appropriately, follow the guidance for staff who use CISS and FVISS.

To access and use Child Link safely and appropriately, follow the guidance on Child Link.