The following resources are related to the MARAM Framework. For resources related to the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS), visit the Information sharing guides, templates and tools .
MARAM update
Notification of Expressions of Interest (EOI) release – Monday 31 May 2021
‘C10100 - Development of MARAM training in working with Perpetrators of family violence’
Family Safety Victoria (FSV) has released an Expression Of Interest (EOI) process for the Development of MARAM training in working with Perpetrators of family violence.
The EOI is available to view on the Tenders Vic and will be open for 3 weeks, from 31 May - 21 June 2021. Organisations with specialist expertise in engaging with people who use violence, instructional design, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) are encouraged to apply.
A formal RFQ process will open on 28 June for 6 weeks and close 2pm, Monday 9 August 2021. Only organisations that submit an EOI will be invited to a formal RFQ process.
Information session
The department will hold an information session to clarify this Expression of Interest on Wednesday 9 June 2021 via Microsoft Teams.
RSVP is essential and nominations to attend must be in writing to errol.hart@dhhs.vic.gov.au by no later than 3pm, Monday 7 June 2021.
Nominations must include the organisation name, the full name of the representative/s attending, email address including confirmation of the primary representative.
The information session will be conducted for the purpose of providing background information only and is intended for parties with an interest in submitting a proposal, not for those with a general interest. Service providers should not rely on a statement made at the information session as amending or adding to this document, unless that amendment or addition is confirmed by the department in writing.
Please note all questions and answers raised at the information session will be made available to all interested service providers.
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The Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework
Family violence multi-agency risk assessment and management frameworkFamily Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (online version)
MARAM Framework on a page
MARAM framework on a page and definitions -
Organisational embedding guide
An organisational embedding guide has been developed to support organisational leaders in the process of aligning to MARAM. The guide includes specific key actions and activities organisational leaders can undertake to determine responsibilities for staff across their organisation.
How to use video
This video briefly explains how to use the three core resources in the MARAM organisational embedding guidance.
One page overview
This document shows the 3 steps in the organisational embedding journey, and how, when repeated, they help create continuous improvement.
The documents in blue at the bottom of the diagram are examples of some new resources created to assist with organisational alignment.
The documents in orange on the top right of the diagram are existing resources, all of which are integral to organisational alignment activities.
The orange, bottom right corner of the diagram highlights the available MARAM training modules.
These four components all work together to assist organisations in alignment activities.
Overview slide - organisational embeddingCore resources
Step 1: MARAM organisational self-audit tool
Step 1 is for organisations to assess the current progress of their MARAM alignment.
The MARAM organisational self-audit tool contains a series of milestones to work towards as part of MARAM alignment, with specific examples on how to reach the milestone. The examples are supported by resources.
The MARAM organisational self-audit tool is available to download as an accessible Word document for completion by organisations. It should be noted that this is a living document, which will be updated as further MARAM resources are released.
MARAM organisation self-audit tool(Release date: June 2020)
Step 2: Project implementation plan
Step 2 is for organisations to prepare an implementation plan based on the activities they have highlighted in the MARAM self-audit tool as being the next priority.
An example implementation plan is avaliable to download as an accessible Excel document for completion by organisations.
Implementation PlanStep 3: Implementation review
Step 3 is to review the success of implementation activities.
The Review implementation activities guide suggests 3 ways to review the success of implementation activities.
Other organisational resources
A series of resources have been created to assist organisational leaders and those responsible for implementation activities. These are all referred to and linked within the MARAM organisational self-audit tool for use as and when required by organisations. They are also referenced below for ease of access.
1. MARAM framework summary
A short guide to the core components of the MARAM framework for organisational leaders.
2. MARAM responsibilities guide
A short guide to the 10 MARAM responsibilities with organisational considerations.
3. Embedding tools into existing practice
Organisational leaders will need to consider whether to adopt MARAM tools in full, or embed them into existing tools. This guidance outlines important considerations.
4. MARAM policy and procedure examples
MARAM requires organisations to update their policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools. This guidance contains some example scenarios of family violence encounters within an organisation, and what policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools may need updating or creating to align to MARAM.
5. External partnerships
Building partnerships for the purposes of secondary consultations, referrals, information sharing and multi-agency is integral to MARAM alignment. This guidance provides a suggested approach.
6. Supporting staff: family violence leave policy considerations
Managers will not only need to support staff members in responding to family violence experienced by service-users, but may also need to support staff members who are experiencing or choosing to use family violence. This guide sets out considerations for a staff family violence leave policy.
It should be read in conjunction with this accessible workplace safety plan which can be downloaded in Word or as a PDF.
Workplace safety planWorkplace safety plan7. Executive briefing slides
These slides may be downloaded and adpated by those responsible for alignment to brief organisation executives.
Executive Briefing Slides8. MARAM Responsibilities Mapping Tool
An excel template with a suggested approach for recording staff roles and determining MARAM responsibilities.
Mapping MARAM Responsibilities ToolMARAM alignment checklist
Checklist guide for organisational leaders to start aligning their organisational policies, procedures, practice guidance and tools to MARAM.
MARAM alignment checklist (online version)
MARAM alignment checklistMARAM responsibilities: decision guide for organisational leaders
High-level guidance for organisational leaders on determining MARAM responsibilities.
Decision guide for organisations - Multi-agency risk assessment and management framework -
MARAM victim survivor practice guides
The MARAM practice guides support professionals to understand their relevant responsibilities under the MARAM Framework towards the identification, assessment and ongoing management of family violence risk as it relates to their specific roles. The practice guides include the Foundational Knowledge Guide, and Responsibilities for Practice Guides 1-10.
This version of the MARAM victim survivor practice guides is the full version for printing and individual chapters and tools can be found below.
MARAM victim survivor practice guide full versionMARAM victim survivor practice guide full version
The MARAM Practice Guides: Chapter Summaries provides a high-level overview and introduction of the key concepts in the Foundation Knowledge Guide and the Responsibilities for Practice Guides 1-10. Please note, this document does not replace the need to refer to the guides themselves for information on how to undertake practice.
MARAM Practice Guides: Chapter SummariesFoundation knowledge guide
The Foundation Knowledge Guide underpins all MARAM Responsibilities for practice. It outlines key elements of the MARAM Framework, the service system, the evidence-based family violence risk factors that underpin all levels of risk assessment practice and presentations of risk across different age groups and Aboriginal and diverse communities.
All professionals should read this guide prior to commencing application of the responsibilities for practice guides 1-10.
MARAM Practice Guide: Foundation Knowledge - Victim SurvivorResponsibility 1: Respectful, sensitive and safe engagement
This guide outlines how to create a respectful, sensitive and safe environment for people who may be experiencing family violence, including children and young people. The guide focuses on the ways that creating a safe environment can enable a person to feel safe and respected to talk about their experience of family violence.
Responsibility 1 also outlines the importance of using a person-centred and trauma informed approach as well as recognising and addressing challenges in service access for Aboriginal people and people from diverse communities.
All professionals should apply Responsibility 1.
Responsibility 1: Respectful, Sensitive and Safe EngagementResponsibility 2: Identification of family violence risk
This guide outlines how to identify signs of trauma that may indicate family violence is occurring, and the approach to screening by asking questions about a short set of risk factors to assist professionals to decide if further action and/or assessment is required.
All professionals should apply Responsibility 2 to identify if family violence is present and undertake screening for an adult, child or young person.
Responsibility 2: Identification of Family Violence RiskAppendix 1 contains the observable signs of trauma that may indicate family violence. The document includes separate lists for adults, children and young people (Tables 1-5).
Responsibility 2: Appendix 1 - Observable Signs of TraumaAppendix 2 contains the Screening and Identification Tool within a table of practice guidance.
Responsibility 2: Appendix 2 - Guidance on Use of Screening ToolAppendix 3 contains the Screening and Identification Tool as a standalone template.
Responsibility 2- Appendix 3 - Adult Screening ToolAppendix 4 contains a flow diagram of response options and a basic safety plan.
Responsibility 2: Appendix 4 - Response Options and Safety PlanResponsibility 3: Intermediate risk assessments
Responsibility 3 provides guidance for intermediate risk assessment to assess the level or ‘seriousness’ of family violence risk for either an adult or a child.
This guide should be used by professionals whose role is linked to but not directly focused on family violence. It supports professionals to understand how risk assessment questions link to the level of risk and to use the process of Structured Professional Judgement in practice to determine the level or ‘seriousness’ of risk. This guide also outlines when a brief assessment or full intermediate assessment should be undertaken.
Responsibility 3: Intermediate Risk AssessmentAppendix 5 contains the Adult Brief Assessment Tool reflecting high-risk factors only.
Responsibility 3: Appendix 5 - Adult Brief ToolAppendix 6 contains the Adult Intermediate Assessment Tool.
Responsibility 3: Appendix 6 - Adult Intermediate ToolAppendix 7 contains the Child Victim Survivor Assessment Tool.
Responsibility 3: Appendix 7 - Child Assessment ToolAppendix 8 contains the Adult Intermediate Assessment Tool within a table of practice guidance about each question to support response.
Responsibility 3: Appendix 8 - Intermediate Tool GuidanceResponsibility 4: Intermediate risk management
Responsibility 4 supports professionals to undertake safety planning and risk management to respond to the presentation and level of family violence risk. Professionals should use this guide after an intermediate risk assessment has been completed and family violence risk has been assessed as present.
Responsibility 4: Intermediate Risk ManagementAppendix 9 contains a template safety plan for adult victim survivors which can include safety planning for children through the non-offending parent/carer.
Responsibility 4: Appendix 9 - Adult Safety Plan TemplateAppendix 10 contains a template safety plan that can be used directly with older children or young people.
Responsibility 4: Appendix 10 - Safety Plan for Older Children and Young PeopleResponsibility 5: Secondary consultation and referral
This guide is for all professionals to use when family violence is present and/or assessed and you determine that information, guidance, support or collaboration from another professional or service is required. This guide explains the key practice of seeking secondary consultations and making referrals to respond to further risk assessment and management, and to respond to co-occuring issues.
Responsibility 5: Secondary Consultations and ReferralsResponsibility 6: Information sharing with other services
This guide is for all professionals to use when family violence is present and/or assessed and you determine that information,from another professional or service is required for a risk assessment or management purpose. This guide explains how to determine what information is risk-relevant to support decision making on what information to request and share.
Guidance is also provided on how to proactively share information relevant to the assessment and management of family violence risk, including under the family violence and child information sharing schemes and other legislation, and how to respond to information sharing requests from other services.
Responsibility 6: Information SharingResponsibility 7: Comprehensive risk assessment
This guide builds on the information in Responsibility 3. Responsibility 7 provides guidance on how to comprehensively assess the family violence risks, needs and protective factors for victim survivors (adults, children and young people).
Responsibility 7 should only be used by specialist family violence practitioners with a specialist level of skill, knowledge and expertise in family violence practice, working with victim survivors, who will undertake comprehensive assessment. This guide outlines how these specialist professionals can work with victim survivors to understand the full spectrum and impact of risk due to the perpetrator’s violence. This includes identifying and responding to dynamic risk where there is change or escalation to the frequency or severity of violence.
Responsibility 7: Comprehensive Risk AssessmentAppendix 11 contains the Comprehensive Assessment Tool as a stand-alone template.
Responsibility 7: Appendix 11 - Adult Comprehensive ToolAppendix 12 contains a genogram template and guidance on how to develop a genogram.
Responsibility 7: Appendix 12 - GenogramAppendix 13 contains the questions from the Comprehensive Assessment Tool with a table of practice guidance about each question, including questions for people who identify as Aboriginal or belonging to a diverse community.
Responsibility 7: Appendix 13 - Practice guidance on Comprehensive toolResponsibility 8: Comprehensive risk management and safety planning
This guide builds on the information in Responsibility 4. Responsibility 8 should be used by specialist family violence practitioners working with victim survivors. This guide should be used when family violence has been established and a comprehensive risk assessment has been completed for an adult, child or young person.
Responsibility 8 guides practitioners to plan and undertake a range of risk management activities with victim survivors including:
- actively monitor family violence risk
- respond to changes in risk levels
- proactively share and gather information on family violence risk
It also contains further information on comprehensive safety planning and risk management for a range of forms of risk and circumstances.
Responsibility 8: Comprehensive Risk ManagementAppendix 14 contains the (Adult) Comprehensive Safety Plan template.
Responsibility 8: Appendix 14 - Comprehensive Safety Plan TemplateAppendix 15 contains the ecomap template which can be used to help identify protective factors.
Responsibility 8: Appendix 15 - Ecomap DiagramResponsibility 9: Contribute to coordinated risk management
This guide supports all professionals to understand the role of coordinated risk management, and linkages to ongoing collaborative risk management (covered under Responsibility 10) as an integral part of family violence responses.
Thiis guidance helps identify the processes required for effective multi-agency collaboration and risk management.
Responsibility 9: Contribute to Coordinated Risk ManagementResponsibility 10: Collaborate for ongoing risk assessment and risk management
This guide supports all professionals to understand the role of collaborative risk assessment and management as an integral part of multi-agency family violence responses.
This guide looks at the processes for effective multi-agency risk management and collaboration. The guides supports the role of specialist family violence practitioners to lead coordination and collaboration, and for a range of professionals from across the service system to contribute as needed.
Responsibility 10: Collaborate for Ongoing Risk Assessement and Risk ManagementPerpetrator focused tools and practice guidance (in development)
Family Safety Victoria is leading a program of work to develop evidence-based perpetrator focused tools and practice guidance, in line with recommendation 1 from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
It is anticipated that the non-specialist assessment tool and practice guides will be finalised in February 2021 and the specialist assessment tool and practice guides will be finalised in April 2021.
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MARAM training
There are a range of training options available. Details can be found on our training page.
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MARAM coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic practice notes and factsheets
Family Safety Victoria is developing a series of MARAM Practice Notes and Factsheets to support targeted responses to family violence, including sexual assault, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
MARAM alignment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
This factsheet outlines guidance on the ongoing project of MARAM alignment for prescribed organisations and services in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
MARAM Alignment and Covid-19MARAM practice notes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic isolation and quarantine period
A series of MARAM Practice Notes will be released to support professionals to respond to increased family violence risk during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic period. Specialist victim survivor, perpetrator-focused and adolescent family violence MARAM Practice Notes are available.
Further work is underway to scope guidance supporting universal services (including strengthening collaborative practice) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic period and targeting identified sectors and communities at increased risk.
Each Practice Note is a ‘live’ document and will be updated as issues and system changes occur during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic period.
July update: Updated referral information in each guide. Tier 2/3 Practice Note now has the victim-focused immediate risk and safety plan templates included in the document.
MARAM Practice Note - Minimum Response for Victim SurvivorsMARAM Practice Note - Perpetrator FocusFamily Violence Support During Covid-19MARAM Adolescent Family Violence. July updates to COVID-19 Practice NotePractice Note - Generalist WorkersMARAM Practice Note - Tier 2/3MARAM Practice Note – Generalist Workers – Family Violence during COVID-19 hard lockdown guidanceMARAM practice notes coronavirus (COVID-19) video
A video - MARAM Practice Notes: Covid-19 - has been produced to provide an overview of the minimum response for victim-survivors and perpetrator MARAM Practice Notes.
Family violence response during coronavirus (COVID-19) video series
This video series - Family violence response during coronavirus - produced in July 2020 provides an overview of how the government has been working with the family violence sector and across government departments and agencies to respond to family violence since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.
More information
Visit Family violence reform for other staff resources, MARAM Annual Reports, and the history and progress of family violence reform.
For more information and support on information sharing and MARAM, please visit: Frequently asked questions about information sharing and MARAM.
Reviewed 03 June 2021