Child and Young Person Resources

Children and Young People: strengthening an integrated system response to family violence in Western Metropolitan Melbourne

The 5 May 2026 WIFVC Member Meeting focused on strengthening integrated system responses for children and young people experiencing or at risk of family violence in Western Metropolitan Melbourne. A strong theme throughout the meeting was that effective integrated responses rely not only on frameworks and tools, but on authentic relationships, collaboration, and practitioners creating safe spaces for children, young people, and families. The meeting reinforced strong sector commitment to improving integrated responses for children and young people.

Thank you to our presenters for so kindly giving us your time to share your experiences and insights.

• Kate Ball, Family Safety Victoria

• Rachel Borg, Good Shepherd

• Sameera Fieldgrass, Centre for Multicultural Youth

• Sophie Campbell, The Salvation Army

• Sherree Hermans, Child Protection

• Talia Barrett, Bright Futures (Merri Outreach Support Service)

Resources shared by presenters

SAFE Acronym

• Stay out of the fight

• Ask for help

• Find an adult who will listen

• Everyone knows that it is not your fault

Safety Planning

• Good Shepherd Child-led Safety Plan Guidance Template

• Good Shepherd My Safety Network poster

• Interviewing Children and Child Safety Planning Guidance and Tools

• Safety Planning Guide: With Children and Young People

Choosing Positive Paths

• Parenting, violence and your safety - who can help

• Parenting: talking about separating, moving house and seeing dad

• Parenting, violence and the legal system

• Parenting a teenager who has experienced violence (13 to 18 years)

• Parenting a baby who has experience violence (birth to 18 months)

• Parenting a preschooler who has experienced violence

• Parenting a primary schooler who has experienced violence

• Parenting a toddler who has experienced violence

• Pregnancy and violence

Centre for Multicultural Youth Information and Resources

• Family violence programs

• Restart program (12-17 years, partnership with Melbourne City Mission)

• Safe and Connected program (12-24 years, partnership with Anglicare Victoria and The Orange Door) - information about services for practitioners and organisations

• Safe and Connected program - information for young people

• Standing together (AVITH) program (12-21 years, partnership with Drummond Street Services)

• I need to know you’re safe framework

• Training and development

SAFV Centre Parental Guidance: ‘Supporting your child through family violence’ video https://vimeo.com/731681371

MARAM Risk factors specific to children’s circumstances: https://www.vic.gov.au/maram-practice-guides-foundation-knowledge-guide/evidence-based-risk-factors-and-maram-risk-assessment-tools​

Safe & Together Multiple Pathways to Harm: Practitioners can speak to this when discussing how the AUFV’s parenting choice to use violence is impacting on the family functioning to support advocacy and documentation. Also important for practitioners to partner with the VS and clearly articulate all the ways they are acting protectively and keeping their children safe. Download resource.

ACU Kids Central Toolkit: Aims to provide workers and services with information, resources and tools to use child-centred approaches in their work with children, young people and families. Explore resources.

Statewide Children’s Resource Program Practitioner Toolkit: A collection of resources for infants, children, young people, their caregivers and practitioners. Explore resources.