What new Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) practice guidance is being developed?

Family Safety Victoria (FSV) is developing MARAM practice guidance for:

• direct risk and wellbeing assessment of children and young people victim survivors

• identifying and responding to young people using family violence in the home and in intimate partner/dating relationships (recognising that young people using violence often experience family violence risk).

This new practice guidance will support workforces prescribed under the MARAM Framework to respond directly to children and young people as victim survivors and support their well-being. The guidance will support professionals to respond to young people using violence with a trauma and violence-informed, and age and developmental stage lens. The practice guides and tools are anticipated for release in 2024.

What has been achieved so far?

In 2022-23, 41 consultation sessions were held with over 500 professionals across MARAM prescribed workforces to support the development of the child and young person-focused MARAM practice guidance.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), and Safe and Equal were engaged to contribute to the development of the Practice Guides, with much of their work contributing to the project now completed. In addition, FSV engaged RMIT and Monash University to undertake research reports.

In December 2022, RMIT published the report ‘Adolescents using Family Violence (AUFV) MARAM Practice Guidance Project 2022: Review of the Evidence Base’.

In March 2023, Monash University published their report, ‘Young people’s experiences of identity abuse in the context of family violence: A Victorian study’. The report provides analysis of Victorian responses received to Monash University’s national survey on children and young people’s family violence experiences, use of violence, service, and support needs. The report builds on the I Believe You report published by Monash University in February 2023 and supports further understanding of the voice and experience of children and young people experiencing family violence.

The findings from each report will directly inform the practice guidance and tools by incorporating young people’s experience of barriers to help seeking and service engagement, and experience of family violence that targets the young person’s identity and/or culture. FSV continues to meet monthly with youth advocates involved in the I Believe You research to ensure the voices of children and young people are centred in the Practice Guides and tools.

In June 2023, FSV further engaged a consortium of Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service (YWAHS) to work on content across the draft practice guidance, co-lead consultations with key stakeholders, engage with and draw upon children and young people’s voices, contribute to tool and template development, and support user testing processes. This approach will ensure that consultation and user testing is culturally safe, and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lens is centred throughout the development of the Practice Guides and tools.

VACCA and YWAHS are drafting and reviewing content across the Practice Guides to embed a culturally safe lens throughout. Youth Yarns will be held over the coming months with Aboriginal young people.

In April, Swinburne University commenced a Delphi study as the research methodology to develop the identification and assessment tools. This study includes both survey and focus groups with subject matter experts, including practitioners from prescribed workforces. The Delphi study has now concluded, with good participation across workforces.

Once the tools are finalised with findings from the Delphi study, they will be tested by professionals.

What training is being developed?

FSV has developed a new ‘MARAM: Working with Adults Using Family Violence’ (AUFV) non accredited training program. The program supports professionals in prescribed workforces to keep adults using family violence in view and accountable, and to promote the safety of victim survivors of family violence.

The AUFV program is tailored for each MARAM responsibility level (identification, intermediate and comprehensive).

What has been achieved so far?

FSV has engaged No to Violence and Safe and Equal to deliver the AUFV training program at no cost to participants. Delivery of the identification-level training commenced in November 2023 and Intermediate and Comprehensive training commenced in February 2024. Professionals can register for the training via the links below:

• Register for Identification level AUFV (Delivered by Safe + Equal)(opens in a new window) and Identification level AUFV (Delivered by No to Violence)
• Register for Intermediate level AUFV (Delivered by No to Violence)(opens in a new window)
• Register for Comprehensive level AUFV (Delivered by No to Violence)(opens in a new window)

What training is being reviewed and redeveloped?

The three Victim Survivor MARAM training packages (Identification, Intermediate, and Comprehensive) and the MARAM Leading Alignment and MARAM Collaborative Practice modules.

What has been achieved so far?

Following stakeholder feedback and the findings of the MARAM 5-year Evidence Review, FSV has engaged Safe & Equal to review and redevelop the three Victim Survivor training packages (Identification, Intermediate, Comprehensive) and the MARAM Leading Alignment and MARAM Collaborative Practice Modules.

Safe and Equal have commenced the training redevelopment for the packages and will finalise this by January 2025, with pilot training sessions to be tested from February – June 2025 to seek further input from stakeholders.

What is MARAM Accredited Training?

The Centre for Workforce Excellence (CWE), DFFH, is working in partnership with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) to develop Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses in family violence.

The training aims to build the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of existing and future workforces to respond to and contribute to the prevention of family violence. These courses are the first accredited training courses to be directly based on the MARAM Framework.

Through these courses, individuals will be able to access MARAM aligned and accredited family violence training through Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), TAFEs and dual sector universities, either during their studies or before they enter the workforce as part of their pre-service education and training.

What has been achieved so far?

The Course in Identifying and Responding to Family Violence was recently re-accredited with the new code 22660VIC. The course has been made available for delivery from 1 April 2024. Improvements have been made to the new course based on learnings from implementation of its predecessor, including streamlined content and assessment requirements. A refreshed suite of resources to accompany the course will be available later this year.

The Course in Intermediate Risk Assessment and Management of Family Violence (22625VIC) was re-accredited in 2023 and is available to training providers for delivery. Development of course resources for the unit VU23432 – Undertake intermediate assessment and management of family violence risk will commence later in 2024.

The Course in Contributing to the Prevention of Family Violence and Violence Against Women (22621VIC) was accredited in 2023 and is available to TAFEs for delivery. Course resources are currently under development and will be available this year.

MARAM Video Series

What is the MARAM Video Series?

The MARAM video series consists of 17 impactful videos to support prescribed workforces to better understand MARAM reforms, including the key concepts and responsibilities that apply to their role. These videos are available on the Vic Gov website and YouTube.

What videos are available?

The series includes two types of videos:

• MARAM animation series: Six short videos on specific MARAM practice topics, for example Structured Professional Judgement. You can view them on the Vic Gov website or on YouTube.

• MARAM victim survivor and person using family violence series: Eleven longer role play scenarios between a practitioner and client, including graphics with key topics raised. You can view them on the Vic Gov website or on YouTube.

MARAMIS Fact Sheets

MARAMIS fact sheets were developed to support people receiving services from DFFH but are relevant to a broad range of workforces.

The fact sheets outline the Family Violence MARAM Framework and Information Schemes in everyday practice. To support diverse communities, the fact sheets are translated into 6 commonly used languages: Dinka, Somali, Simplified Chinese, Oromo, Arabic and Vietnamese. They are also translated into easy English.

Access the fact sheets at Family violence multi-agency risk assessment and management framework.

What is the MARAM Maturity Model?

The MARAM maturity model will be a key supporting resource of the MARAM Framework. The model provides a means for organisations to self-assess their level of alignment to MARAM and help them take improving steps. It will sit alongside the MARAM Practice Guides and Organisational Embedding Guide, which support organisations to understand what steps they should take to align with MARAM and provide guidance on risk assessment and management responsibilities.

What has been achieved so far?

Human-centred design consultant Paper Giant has built on early material developed by FSV to finalise research activities and co-designed maturity model resources in consultation with 8 Sector Champion organisations.

Three draft resources have now been produced as a result of these activities:

• MARAM maturity model on a page
• MARAM maturity model roadmap
• Interactive self-assessment and action planner

FSV has now finalised a pilot of the tools led by Principal Strategic Advisors in the Eastern and Goulburn regions, gathering feedback to inform refinements to the tools.

Work is continuing work on the supporting policy, with a focus on establishing an overarching continuous improvement cycle. This will contextualise the use of the tools and support the embedding of a continuous improvement process across organisations.

Release of the MARAM Maturity Model is anticipated for the end of the 2024 calendar year.

What is the Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Survey?

The Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Survey (the survey) is a valuable tool to measure how well employees and leaders in framework organisations understand MARAM, and their responsibilities to assess and manage family violence risk. Family Safety Victoria conducts this survey annually. It was previously known as the MARAM Annual Survey.

The survey helps Family Safety Victoria understand:

• how well different sectors have aligned their policies and practices with MARAM
• whether authorised workforces proactively share information to assess family violence risk and/or promote the safety and wellbeing of children
• how the Victorian Government can better support organisations to align to MARAM and use and understand their information sharing powers.

What has been achieved so far?

This year, the survey was redesigned to capture more information about staff confidence in applying MARAM in their day-to-day work. Where previously only organisational leaders were invited to complete the survey, this year’s survey was open to employees that respond to family violence risk as part of their role, including by sharing information and referring clients to specialist services. Organisational leaders, and those who have a role in implementing MARAM and Information Sharing in their organisation, were also invited to complete the survey.

The survey was open during June-July 2024 and received 1040 responses.

Preliminary analysis shows that most respondents were from Health (411) and Human Services (394) sectors. Most professional and frontline staff (78%) and leaders/executives (95%) completed MARAM-related training during 2023-24. Most Professional and frontline staff (88%) and leaders/executives (79%) demonstrated a strong understanding of their MARAM and Information Sharing responsibilities, while 72% of leaders/executives indicated that organisational alignment to MARAM is a High Priority.

What is the five-year evidence review?

The MARAM Framework was established in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) in 2018. The Act requires five-yearly reviews of MARAM (Section 194) to ensure it reflects the current evidence and best practice. The review looks at:

• whether MARAM reflects best practice of family violence risk assessment and risk management
• what changes may be needed.

What has been achieved so far?

The first of these reviews is now complete.

The literature, practice, and design review, led by Allen & Clarke Consulting, examined the Framework and key supporting resources, including victim survivor-focused MARAM Practice Guides and tools published in 2019. It involved consideration of family violence research, best practice, evidence, and consultation with 225 participants from 81 organisations. This included victim survivor advocates, family violence practitioners, academics, specialist and universal services, and government bodies.

The review found that across all sectors, MARAM is considered a valuable resource. It supports a shared understanding of family violence, risk assessment and risk management practices.

The review made 17 recommendations relating to accessibility of the MARAM Practice Guides and assessment tools, improving approaches to risk assessment, and planning and enhancements to recognise experiences of family violence risk across all communities, including children and young people.

The MARAM 5-Year Evidence Review Final Report, Literature Review, and Summary Report are available on our MARAM Framework 5-year Evidence Review webpage.

A second part of the evidence review, a data review, is also underway, analysing available data on the evidence-based risk factors. This review is led by Monash University and is scheduled to be completed in late 2024.

Why are the Family Violence Capability Frameworks being reviewed?

The Family Violence Prevention and Response Capability Frameworks provide the foundational skill set required to both deliver prevention of family violence and violence against women initiatives and respond to all forms of family violence.

The review is intended to reflect the capability uplift and learnings undertaken since the framework’s original release, including capturing new evidence and best practice, whilst also seeking to establish an implementation approach that clarifies and increases their utility across the workforce. The review will consider the alignment between the prevention and response frameworks, recognising that prevention and response work is distinct but complementary.

What is happening now?

The Centre for Workforce Excellence (CWE) are finalising the draft of the Response Capability Framework. The framework is being finalised with a focus on useability and is expected for release later in 2024.

CWE are continuing work on the revision of the Prevention Capability Framework in collaboration with Safe and Equal and the Prevention workforce. The revised Prevention Capability Framework is due for release late 2024, early 2025.

What MARAM tools are in TRAM and SHIP?

Tools for Risk Assessment and Management (TRAM) has been developed by Family Safety Victoria as an online platform for use across the service system. TRAM contains the adult and child victim survivor MARAM risk assessments and safety plan, Comprehensive Adult Using Family Violence assessment tool, Predominant Aggressor Identification tool, and in future it will host the remainder of the MARAM resources, currently in development. This platform is used across The Orange Door network and by several community agencies.

Family Safety Victoria also oversees the development of the MARAM risk assessment and management tools into the Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP). SHIP contains the adult and child victim survivor MARAM risk assessments and safety plan. MARAM tools in both online platforms support services in their alignment to MARAM.

What additional MARAM tools are coming to the online platforms?

The Predominant Aggressor Identification Tool was released to SHIP for use by Specialist Family Violence Services on 15 July 2024. The tool provides a structure to support the accurate identification of the predominant aggressor using information sharing, direct assessment, and structured analysis. If you have not received the updated user guidance for MARAM tools in SHIP, please contact tram@familysafety.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window). Use of this tool in SHIP will allow FSV to collect and analyse de-identified data on misidentification trends and contribute to service improvements.

FSV are also scoping the addition of the Identification and Intermediate Adults Using Family Violence assessment tools into SHIP.

The TRAM platform recently underwent a security upgrade to ensure client information remains secure and confidential. This resulted in a new and cleaner look for TRAM and the ability for further technical enhancements to be made to the platform. Organisations interested in more information or adopting TRAM can contact tram@familysafety.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).

The new MARAM and Information Sharing Hub

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new MARAM and Information Sharing (MARAMIS) Schemes intranet page. This page has been developed for DFFH internal staff to provide important updates about MARAM and the Information Sharing Schemes.

The Key Features of the landing page:

• Who we are: How the MARAMIS Implementation team can help you.
• MARAMIS L&D: Get to know what MARAMIS learning and development is available.
• News and Updates: Stay informed about upcoming MARAMIS news and events.
• Resources: Access important MARAMIS documents, templates, and tools.
• Feedback: Share your thoughts and suggestions—we value your input!

We encourage you to visit the page here: MARAM and Information Sharing Hub (sharepoint.com)

Child Protection and Housing tailored to MARAM: Working with adults using family violence (AUFV)- Identification and intermediate level training

Tailored training packages for Child protection and Housing workforces commenced after a successful trial in March 2024. The tailored training packages are being facilitated by No to Violence (NTV) with support from senior practitioners from relevant workforces.

• Child Protection (CPP2) workers can access the Identification level training via OurPeople Learning.
• Child Protection (CPP3-6) can access the Intermediate level training updates via SharePoint.
• Housing, Reception, Forensic Disability and Complex Needs workforces can access the Identification level training via OurPeople Learning.
• Forensic Disability Clinical Services (FDCS) and Disability Justice Coordination (DJC) workers can access the Intermediate training via OurPeople Learning.

New suite of MARAMIS learning and development products

Safe and Equal in collaboration with the MARAMIS implementation team continue to develop three new learning and development products aimed to increase DFFH policy and practice leaders’ understanding of family violence and how the MARAMIS reforms can be used to help end family violence occurring in Victoria.

The packages are:

• MARAM Leading Alignment: developed for DFFH Executives and Managers to support them to understand their obligations to lead the internal alignment at DFFH.
• MARAM Supporting Alignment: for DFFH workforce leads, policy and project staff to develop a deep understanding of how the MARAM principles, core knowledge, and best practice risk assessment and management must be incorporated into their work.
• Information Sharing Schemes (ISS) workshops: developed for DFFH internal staff to develop a deep understanding of the ISS to promote the wellbeing of children and young people under CISS and to assess or manage family violence risk under FVISS.

For further information please email the DFFH information sharing and MARAM implementation team at infosharing@dhhs.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)

Introductory Violence Prevention Training with Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates

Women with Disabilities Victoria’s Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates (the Experts) are a group of women and non-binary people with diverse experiences of disability. We’re excited to announce that 4 new Experts with broad knowledge and expertise have recently joined the team.

The Experts facilitate one-hour introductory training that covers aspects of gender equality, disability inclusion, and prevention of violence against women with disabilities. This recently refreshed offer is based on research, evidence and the lived experience of women with disabilities.

Sessions can be held online or in person and content may be adjusted to meet your group’s training needs.

Fees: $600

Please note: The cost may vary if there are requirements in addition to our standard sessions.

How to book:

Contact the Gender and Disability Workforce Development Team at gandd@wdv.org.au for further information or to book a session.

Generally, a minimum of 8-weeks' notice is required.

Download:

• Violence Prevention Training with Gender & Disability Experts flyer (PDF)
• Violence Prevention Training with Gender & Disability Experts flyer (Word)

Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV)

The Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) model was developed by the Royal Women’s Hospital and Bendigo Health to provide a system-wide approach now applied by hospitals across Victoria. Based on international best practice, the model has two overarching principles and five key implementation elements for a staged approach that is applicable to any public Victorian health setting committed to improving its identification and response to family violence in patients and staff.

The number of staff who undertook SHRFV training up until July 2021 was 82,015. From July 2021 to 31 March 2024, 139,333 staff attended MARAM aligned training. The total number of SHRFV and MARAM aligned training delivered was about 221,348 since its inception in 2014. The above figures may not include a full snapshot of Workplace Support training figures.

An SHRFV Statewide Forum was held on May 2, 2024, titled SHRFV “Continuing to light the way” and focused on sustainability and collaboration. The forum heard from esteemed speakers including Rosie Batty AO, Prof. Kelsey Hegarty, Dr Nicole Highet, and Tarang Chawla.

Other MARAM updates

• The Adults Using Family Violence (AUFV) Emerging Practice Statewide Leads have finished a series of 14 consultative workshops across Victoria, involving 146 attendees from 56 hospitals and health services. This was a unique opportunity to connect with health services across the state around the implementation of family violence reforms, and alignment to the MARAM framework, with a specific focus on AUFV. Feedback on several hospital specific resources was garnered during the workshops, which will inform their final development.
• In June 2024, the Information Sharing Guide to Hospitals and Health Services was released statewide, along with the Train-the-Trainer implementation model to a select few of participating health services.
• Plans for future communities of practice are underway, where hospital and health service staff will be invited to continue to participate and connect in a collaborative forum.

If you would like more information on any of these initiatives, please contact:

Amanda Morris- SHRFV Statewide Lead Metropolitan Sector, The Royal Women’s Hospital (Amanda.morris@thewomens.org.au)

Sharan Ermel- SHRFV Statewide Lead Regional Sector, Bendigo Health (sermel@bendigohealth.org.au)