Whilst assessing and managing family violence with a client, you are not alone. Managing family violence is the responsibility of the whole service system, and that is why MARAM was created.
Whether your client engages with other services or not, you are always able to get support and guidance from specialist services.
Seeking secondary consultation, like information sharing, is an essential aspect of ‘Structured Professional Judgement’. Seeking expert advice helps to determine seriousness of risk, inform ongoing risk assessment and approaches to risk management and safety planning.
Secondary consultation can occur without any identifying information being provided regarding the victim survivor (that is, providing de-identified information) to seek guidance on possible next steps.
If you think the secondary consultation may lead to a referral and require you to disclose relevant identifying or personal information, you must do so according to your legal permissions and responsibilities.[1]
Get to know your local Specialist Family Violence Service – if possible visit them and have a cuppa – they are your partner in creating safety for victim survivors.
Relevant secondary consultation contacts include:
Specialist Family Violence service
- The Orange Door
- If an orange door is not yet established in your region, The Lookout provides information about local family violence services.
- 1800 RESPECT provides secondary consultation to professionals working with clients experiencing family violence and/or sexual abuse.
Specialist service for perpetrators of family violence
Managing family violence at the intersection of AOD and mental health
Child wellbeing and safety queries
For additional specialist family violence services, visit Family Violence Support Services
References
[1] MARAM practice guides 5&6: Information Sharing with Other Services, Including Secondary Consultation and Referral https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-07/Responsibility-5-and-6-Information-Sharing-with-Other-Services-Including-Secondary-Consultation-and-Referral_0.pdf