This table contains example interactions service users may have with an organisation and what policies, procedures, practice guidance tools would help support a MARAM aligned response.
Organisations must update their policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools to ensure they are MARAM aligned.
This template prompts you to consider the interactions service users may have with your organisation so you can identify existing and required policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools that support a MARAM-aligned response.
Each example starts with a possible scenario and the applicable MARAM responsibilities.
It then suggests the possible interaction with policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools. It contains links to existing resources which can be used to embed best MARAM practice.
These tables are examples only, and the policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools listed may not be exhaustive. Your organisation may also have other interactions with victim-survivors and perpetrators in the course of your work not reflected here, or other scenarios where family violence is identified and for which procedures need to be followed. If it is considered a useful tool, you may wish to consider creating a similar table for your organisational practice.
Example 1: An employee suspects family violence is taking place (service-user could be a victim-survivor or a perpetrator)
responsibility 1
responsibility 2
Policies
A public- facing policy on the organisation’s role in family violence prevention and response, including legal obligations.
Staff policy setting out responsibilities where family violence is suspected.
Updating privacy policies to specify disclosures of family violence and information sharing requirements.
Example 2: The service user is screened for family violence
responsibility 1
responsibility 2
responsibility 5
responsibility 6
Policies
Information sharing policy and compliance with legislative requirements (for FVIS, CISS and other legal permissions for information sharing).
Record keeping policy covers personal data, risk information, consent (including what the consent covers and the time period), and records of information shared.
Consent policy, as consent may be required to share information from an adult victim survivor. Clear policy on when consent is not required and criteria for seeking victim survivor’s views.
Emergency response policy (for cases of imminent risk).
Procedures
Screening procedure covers who is responsible, how to screen, where to screen, how to record information obtained, what to do next.
Procedure on using translator services (where needed) covers how to access translators, any restrictions on the use of translators (for example, phone interpreters from interstate where language communities are small).
How to refer for risk assessment.
How to seek emergency intervention.
How to share information (and details of legislative schemes applicable to the organisation which may include FVIS, CISS and other information sharing legislation).
How to seek secondary consultations internally and externally and reference to any memorandum(s) of understanding in place.
Practice Guidance
Guidance on when to use screening tool, how to screen and what response is required – refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 2, appendix 2.
Example 3: Screening identifies that family violence is taking place. The victim survivor agrees to a risk assessment and risk management.
responsibility 1
responsibility 3 and 4 (note 7 and 8 for a specialist service)
responsibility 5
responsibility 6
responsibility 9
responsibility 10
Policies
Risk assessment and management policy setting out responsibilities, levels of risk held within the organisation and at different positions, organisational expectations about risk assessment.
As above for information sharing (for all legislative obligations including FVIS and CISS Scheme) and secondary consultations.
Policy on multi-agency practice for ongoing risk management.
Procedures
How to refer to risk assessment internally, and when and how to undertake risk assessments.
Prioritising the undertaking of risk assessments based on level of risk identified at screening stage.
Managing risk, including regular review of risk assessments.
Completion of safety plans.
When and how to share information and seek secondary consultations.
Procedures on working with external partners as part of multi-agency collaborative and coordinated practice.
Case conference procedures for leaders (specialist family violence service) and contributors.
Practice Guidance
Guidance on structured professional judgement, when to undertake an assessment, how to undertake an assessment including risk assessments for children as victim survivors in their own right – refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 3.
Risk management, completion of safety plans, what to include, engaging with the victim survivor and risk management for children as victim survivors – refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 4.
Information sharing: what it is how, what legislation applies, how to share information, when to share information, legislative rules on record keeping and consent – refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 6.
Multi-agency practice: what it is how, how to engage with other services, how to work collaboratively and coordinate with external services for risk management – refer to MARAM practice guides: responsibilities 9 and 10.
Victim survivor focused (a) adult assessments tools and (b) child assessment tools). Refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 3, appendices 5–7 for non specialists and MARAM practice guide: responsibility 7: appendix 11.
Safety plan for adults and safety plan for children and young people – refer to MARAM practice guide: responsibility 4, appendix 9–10 for non-specialists and MARAM practice guides: responsibility 8: appendix 1.
Example 4: External consultations or referrals are required. Information sharing (both as sharers and requestors is required) in order to inform risk assessment.
responsibility 5
responsibility 6
responsibility 9
responsibility 10
Policies
Information sharing policy and compliance with legislative requirements (for all possible legislative obligations including the FVIS and CISS Scheme).
Record keeping policy to comply with specific legislative requirements for each scheme.
Consent policy consent to share information from an adult victim survivor under FVIS Scheme.
Consulting with external partners – policy on how to approach and record referrals and consultations – and agreeing memorandum(s) of understanding.
Procedures
How to do secondary consultations: what procedure to follow, what data needs to be recorded, what consents are required, who to consult with dependent on issue identified.
Information sharing: who shares information, how to share information, where to record requests and information received/shared, how to record consent, data reporting requirements.
Operational guidance or memorandums of understanding with key external partners establishing referral pathways and minimum expectations.
Practice Guidance
Guidance on how to information share and secondary consult, when to do so, and who to contact –
Example 6: A staff member discloses they are a victim of family violence in need of employer support
Policies
Human resources policy that outlines access to family violence leave.
Family violence policy that identifies responsibilities of staff and managers on identification and referral of family violence risk within the organisation.
Policies about how the organisation will support/assist in ensuring exclusions or other elements of a family violence intervention order can be ensured.
Procedures
Procedures for managers to record family violence in HR records for the purpose of safety and access to family violence leave.
Procedures to refer employees to support services, such as EAP.
Tools
Workplace safety plan tool.
Example 7
Note: inclusive practice is pervasive and should be reflected in all policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools identified. The examples included are non-exhaustive.
Policies
Child-focused policies that recognise children as victim survivors in their own right.
Inclusive employment policy, ensuring a diverse workforce.
Aboriginal engagement policy.
Use of interpreter policy.
Procedures
Procedures ensure children are visible and included in all screening, risk assessment and risk management procedures (whether dealing with children directly or indirectly).
Procedures cover how to engage interpreters and ensure practice is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
Practice Guidance
Guidance on how to engage with children and young people directly and through the protective caregiver.
Guidance on how to sensitively ask demographic questions.
Guidance on appropriate terminology and language for sensitive engagement.
