The Keeping Kids Safe project aims to provide support, training and resources to Women’s Refuge staff to enable them to best support children and young people escaping family and domestic violence with their mother/caregiver.

The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WCDFVS) has 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 good 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.

These activities will be based on the following objectives:

1. Mothers and children in Women’s Refuges are supported to ensure children’s needs are met;
2. Children are engaged in education, health and community recreation;
3. Local protocols are developed with Women’s Refuges, schools and health professionals to ensure the needs of children are met; and
   
4. Staff in Women’s Refuges are provided with training and resources to ensure good practice and optimum outcomes for children.

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.

For More Information on the Keep and Kids Safety Project (KKS)
Contact:
Louise Carey
Children's Policy Officer
Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA)
P: (08) 9420 7284
E: louise@womenscouncil.com.au

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