Cultivating Effective Supervision Practices in Family Violence Work

This Community of Practice (CoP) session for AOD clinicians, Addiction Specialists, Senior Practitioners and Leaders is crafted to deepen participants’ understanding and skills in supervising family violence work, with a strong emphasis on trauma and violence-informed practices. Anchored in an intersectional feminist framework, the session navigates the complexities of gender, race, identity, and power dynamics, offering a comprehensive approach to reflective practices, trust-building, and safety and risk management in supervisory relationships.

Training Highlights:

• Emotional Energy Management: Initiating with an emotional battery check-in, this segment encourages participants to engage with their emotional states, fostering a space of mindfulness and self-awareness critical for effective supervision.
• Safety and Readiness: Delving into the pillars of safety in supervision, this part examines the readiness of both supervisors and practitioners, integrating organizational and cultural sensitivities to create a safe and inclusive environment.
• Trust Building through an Intersectional Lens: Utilizing Brene Brown’s B.R.A.V.I.N.G framework, this section explores trust development, maintenance, and repair in supervisory relationships, underpinned by an understanding of diverse identities and experiences.
• Trauma-Informed Practices: This segment offers insights into adopting gender-informed positions and establishing trauma-informed supervision agreements, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing the multifaceted nature of trauma.
• Power Dynamics: Participants will examine the influence of gender, race, identity, and First Nations perspectives on power within supervisory relationships, aiming to cultivate a more equitable supervisory practice.
• Risk Management: Focused on improving outcomes in family violence work, this part discusses strategies for navigating risk and ensuring safety, with a lens on the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities.

Training Details:

• Duration: An intensive 2-hour session designed to deliver impactful content and practical strategies without the interruption of a break.
• Methodology: Combining theoretical presentations with interactive discussions.
• Target Audience: Ideal for supervisors and practitioners within the family violence sector—social workers, clinicians, and anyone in a supervisory role eager to refine their approach through an intersectional feminist perspective.

Objective:

To empower participants with an understanding and practical tools for effective supervision in family violence work, emphasizing the critical need for a supportive, informed, and responsive approach that honours the diverse experiences and identities of those affected by family violence.

About your Presenter: 

Abbey Newman is a committed and qualified social worker, with a specialization in family violence. Her approach to social work is grounded in compassionate practice within frameworks of accountability, ensuring that her interventions are both empathetic and effective. Abbey’s career has seen her operate across a broad spectrum of roles within both government and non-government sectors, where she has worked tirelessly to support both people who use and experience family violence. This unique positioning allows Abbey to navigate the complex dynamics of family violence with a nuanced understanding and a holistic perspective.

Abbey’s contributions to the field are marked by significant achievements, including providing pivotal evidence to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. This opportunity allowed her to influence key reforms and bring to light the critical issues facing the sector. Abbey’s expertise and dedication to her profession were further recognized when she became the first family violence accredited social worker by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This accreditation is a testament to her profound knowledge, exceptional skill set, and unwavering commitment to advocating for change within the realm of family violence.

Throughout her career, Abbey has been driven by a desire to create safer communities and empower individuals affected by family violence. Her work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unwavering dedication to social justice. Abbey’s impact on the field of family violence is profound, and her ongoing contributions continue to inspire and lead the way for meaningful change.

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