Keeping Kids Safe

The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services have been contracted by the Department of Child Protection to provide training and support for Child Support Workers and Refuges to help support children and young people who have been exposed to domestic and family violence. This project was recently funded for a further three years.

This project, which will be delivered to all Refuges across the state will involve:

  • Consultation with Child Support Workers about their role, issues or challenges faced, resources or programs currently being used and training needs;
  • Consultation with children and young people in Refuges about their experiences and perceptions of Refuge services;
  • Individualised regional training for Child Support Workers (based on identified needs);
  • Compilation of research, programs and resources that may be used to support children and young people;
  • Development of best practice guidelines for supporting children and young people in Refuges and support to implement these strategies;
  • Developing local protocols between Refuges, schools, child care and health professionals to ensure the needs of children are met;
  • Mapping of state-wide children’s services; and
  • Fostering strong partnerships with local Department for Child Protection offices.

The Keeping Kids Safe Project aims to provide training, information and resources to refuge staff so as to optimise positive outcomes for children escaping domestic and family violence.



Child Support Worker/Child Advocate Survey

To inform the development of the project the Women’s Council undertook a consultation with Child Support/Advocacy staff within Refuges to determine their role, experience, qualifications, resources and facilities, challenges and training needs.

Download a copy of the consultation report

Keeping Kids Safe Training Calendar

Based on the outcomes of this consultation process the Women’s Council organised 21 training workshops around the state in 2009. Locations of training included east and west Kimberley (Kununurra, Broome and Fitzroy Crossing), Karratha, Roebourne, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Rockingham, Perth and Albany.  289 people attended in total.

This training will continue throughout 2010 with a new training calendar currently being developed.

Training is free and travel reimbursements are available to help staff from Regional and Remote Refuges access training.

Child Consult

Children living in Refuges were consulted about their experiences and perceptions of Refuge services. Seven regional and metropolitan Refuges participated in the consultation, providing access to 32 children aged between three and fourteen. Unstructured, play based sessions were facilitated by two Women’s Council staff. The children who participated were asked broadly about arriving at the Refuge, what it was like to live there and leaving (if they were former residents).

Download a copy of the consultation report

Supporting Children who have Experienced Domestic and Family Violence

The Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services held a forum on the 26th October to discuss good practice in supporting children who have experienced domestic and family violence. Attended by 70 people the forum showcased ‘sector good practice’ in respect to: supporting children in Women’s Refuge Services; disclosure safety and assessment; and research and innovation as well as comparing metro and rural and remote models of practice.

The forum was followed by a two day training workshop held on the 27th and 28th of October. The workshop looked at the impact of trauma on children’s brain development and working with traumatised children and was facilitated by the Australian Childhood Foundation.

Presentations from the forum are available for download below.

Family Fun Program - Koolkuna Women's Refuge: Mel Rowe, Dianne Lee, Diane Webb, Deborah Jackson MacDonald

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Diverse Ways of Supporting Children in a Refuge - Orana House: Yvonne Elvish

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What the Kids Think - Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services: Louise Carey

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Safe from the Start - Graceville Centre: Margaret MacDonald

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Protective Behaviours for Children and Families - Protective Behaviours: Andrea Musulin

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Parenting over Violence - Patricia Giles Centre: Ashleigh Haw

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The Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma and it's Relationship to Intrafamilial Homicide - Dr Caroline Harris Johnson

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For further information please contact Louise Carey at the Women's Council on (08) 9420 7264 or email policy@womenscouncil.com.au
Projects
- Keeping Kids Safe
- Supporting Women with Complex Needs Project
- HURT Project
 
       
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