29/09/2022

Child protection workers in South Australia now have access to a unique course to build on their expertise when working directly with families experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) and to help improve outcomes for children and young people.

DFV is the most prevalent risk factor in families reported to the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and significantly impacts on children’s safety and wellbeing.

DCP has partnered with the Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) at Flinders University to co-design the Responding to DFV in the context of child protection: Advanced understanding and leadership course.

More than 100 DCP staff, including practice leaders, Principal Aboriginal Consultants, supervisors and senior practitioners, are participating in the first intake of the course, which includes a combination of six online modules and three face-to-face master classes.

The course covers topics such as enhancing specialised skills in responding to children, young people and families experiencing DFV, developing a shared language and understanding to inform work with children, young people and families with complex needs and refining leadership skills in responding to domestic and family violence.

It is envisaged the course will be opened to other participants from 2023.

Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard said the safety of children, young people and women was a critical priority.

“Relentless, ongoing effort to tackle the horrific scourge of domestic violence is needed if we are to begin to prevent and end it,” she said.

“Domestic and family violence is a factor in at least 70 per cent of child protection cases; a figure that speaks to its deep and unacceptable impact on children.

“Tackling domestic and family violence requires aligned effort and for everyone to feel confident to recognize the signs and to act, support and empower those experiencing it, including children.

“This course will build on the expertise of child protection workers as they navigate the complexities of domestic and family violence within families to ensure children and young people are safe, nurtured and well-cared for and to ensure we take steps toward breaking the cycle.”

Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Cathy Taylor said children and young people experiencing domestic and family violence, directly or otherwise, were impacted in a range of ways including their development, social and emotional wellbeing, and possible cumulative harm.

“Children don’t necessarily need to see or hear direct physical violence to be impacted by domestic and family violence, there are so many complexities and nuances for each family,” she said.
“Coercive control may impact how a household functions and how the victim parent functions.

“This can lead to children and young people feeling fear and tension, isolated or not having their basic needs met due to the perpetrator’s financial control.”

SWIRLS Director Professor Sarah Wendt said one of the guiding principles at SWIRLS was that social work research should be undertaken in the community, in real time, with “real people and real lives”.

“This is further enhanced through innovation and collaboration, and thanks to this partnership with the Department for Child Protection, we are able to play a part in improving outcomes for children and families who experience domestic and family violence,” she said.

“The course is backed by the research of SWIRLS leading experts, who between them have over 30 years’ experience in social work practice and management.

“The course development was about making sure our staff have the most current evidence-based practice, knowledge and skills to work with families, to understand the complexities of DFV and above all to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.”SWIRLS Project Lead Dr Carmela Bastian said the course had been uniquely co-designed specifically for the Department.

She said it would ensure participants were well versed in the many intricacies and dynamics of DFV in the context of child protection in order to be best placed to provide appropriate care and support.