The New Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework: What Organisations Need to Know

The New Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework: What Organisations Need to Know

Family violence is a complex issue that can affect individuals, families, workplaces and communities in many different ways. While specialist family violence services play a critical role in responding to risk and supporting victim-survivors, many people experiencing family violence will first interact with organisations outside the specialist sector.

This may include schools, early childhood services, health providers, disability organisations, community services, sporting organisations and other workplaces that support children, young people, families and vulnerable people.

For these organisations, responding appropriately to family violence is not only about having policies in place. It requires staff to have the knowledge, confidence and capability to recognise concerns, respond safely and take appropriate action.

To support this, the Victorian Government has launched the Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework, providing guidance on the skills and capabilities workers need to effectively respond to family violence across different roles and sectors.

What is the Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework?

The Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework (Capability Framework) is designed to strengthen workforce capability across Victoria by outlining what workers need to know and be able to do when responding to family violence.

The Capability Framework recognises that family violence responses require a coordinated approach across multiple sectors. Not every worker will have the same responsibilities, but every worker needs an appropriate level of capability based on their role.

The framework does not replace existing legal obligations or frameworks. Instead, it provides the practical link between workforce skills and Victoria’s existing family violence response system, particularly the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework.

While MARAM outlines the responsibilities organisations and professionals have when identifying, assessing and managing family violence risk, the Capability Framework explains the knowledge, behaviours and skills workers need to demonstrate those responsibilities effectively.

How Does the Capability Framework Connect with MARAM?

The Capability Framework aligns with three levels of MARAM responsibility, reflecting the different levels of involvement workers may have in responding to family violence.

Identification Level

At the identification level, workers need to be able to recognise possible indicators of family violence and respond in a safe and appropriate way.

This includes the ability to:

• create safe and welcoming environments where disclosures can occur;
• recognise patterns of power, control and abusive behaviour;
• identify signs that a person may be experiencing trauma;
• respond appropriately when concerns arise; and
• facilitate referrals or immediate safety actions where required.

For many organisations, this is the level most staff members will require. A worker may not be responsible for conducting detailed risk assessments, but they need to know how to recognise concerns and respond safely.

Intermediate Level

Workers operating at an intermediate level require additional skills to respond to an identified family violence risk. This level is particularly relevant for professionals whose roles involve regular contact with children, families or vulnerable individuals.

This may include:

• undertaking more detailed risk assessments;
• updating safety plans as circumstances change;
• appropriately sharing information;
• engaging with other services; and
• participating in coordinated responses.

Comprehensive Level

The comprehensive level applies to specialist practitioners who manage complex family violence situations.

These workers require advanced capability to:

• conduct comprehensive risk assessments;
• coordinate multi-agency responses;
• manage high-risk cases; and
• support ongoing monitoring and risk management.

What Does the Capability Framework Recognise About Different Experiences of Family Violence?

A significant feature of the Capability Framework is its recognition that family violence does not affect all people in the same way. Effective responses must consider the individual circumstances of those involved, including victim-survivors, children, young people and people enaging in violence.

Children and Young People as Victim-Survivors

The framework recognises children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right.

Children exposed to family violence may experience significant emotional, psychological and developmental impacts, even where they are not the direct target of the violence.

Organisations working with children need to understand that responses should:

• recognise children’s independent experiences;
• consider their age, development and individual circumstances;
• ensure their voices are heard safely; and
• support their overall wellbeing and safety.

This is particularly relevant for organisations already managing child safety responsibilities, as family violence concerns may intersect with safeguarding obligations, mandatory reporting requirements and child protection processes.

People Enaging in Family Violence

The framework also highlights the importance of responses that hold people using violence accountable while avoiding approaches that minimise, excuse or reinforce harmful behaviours.

Workers need to understand how to engage appropriately, assess risk and ensure that responses prioritise the safety of victim-survivors and children.

Aboriginal and Diverse Communities

The framework also emphasises the importance of culturally responsive and inclusive practice.

This includes recognising how factors such as historical and ongoing discrimination, systemic barriers and cultural considerations may influence a person’s experience of family violence and their ability to access support.

Organisations must consider whether their practices are accessible, culturally safe and appropriate for the diverse communities they serve.

What Does This Mean for Organisations?

The introduction of the Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework reinforces that effective family violence responses require more than policies and procedures.

Organisations need to consider whether their workforce has the practical capability to respond when concerns arise. This may involve reviewing:

Workforce Training and Capability

Staff need appropriate training based on their role and responsibilities.

A frontline employee identifying a possible concern will require different skills from a specialist practitioner managing complex family violence risks.

Organisations should ensure training reflects the level of responsibility each role holds.

Policies and Procedures

Policies should clearly outline:

• how concerns are identified;
• how disclosures are responded to;
• when information sharing may be required;
• referral pathways; and
• how risks involving children and vulnerable people are managed.

Policies should also align with other safeguarding obligations, including child safety requirements.

Information Sharing and Collaboration

Family violence responses often require collaboration between multiple services. Organisations need confidence in understanding:

• when information can be shared;
• how privacy obligations apply;
• how to work with other services; and
• how information sharing supports safety.

Building a Culture of Safety

Ultimately, capability is not only about compliance. It is about creating an organisational culture where staff feel prepared to respond when someone needs support.

An organisation with a culture of safety is one where people understand their role, know what action to take and have confidence that concerns will be managed appropriately.

The Responding to Family Violence Capability Framework highlights an important shift: effective responses depend not only on systems, but on people having the capability to use those systems well.

By investing in workforce capability, organisations can strengthen their ability to recognise concerns early, respond appropriately and create safer environments for children, families and communities.

How Can Safe Space Legal Help?

At Safe Space Legal, we understand that safeguarding obligations are often interconnected. Organisations supporting children, young people and vulnerable people often need to navigate multiple responsibilities, including child safety obligations, family violence responses, information sharing obligations and risk management requirements.

Our team supports organisations by providing practical, legally informed guidance to strengthen safeguarding systems and workforce capability.

We can assist organisations with:

• Conducting safeguarding investigations which are compliant with relevant state and territory legislation and regulations;
• Supporting organisations to have robust recruitment strategies to keep children and young people safe;
• Providing organisations with advice on their legal obligations and compliance;
• Drafting best practice child safety policies, procedures and codes of conduct;
• Conducting gap analysis audits of critical incidents;
• Delivering tailored safeguarding training to ensure organisations are aware of their sector-specific requirements and obligations;
• Ensuring that complaints handling and reporting processes are compliant with legal obligations; and
• Provide sound legal advice on risk mitigation.

Contact office@safespacelegal.com.au or call (03) 9124 7321 to organise a complementary discussion in relation to your organisation’s child safety and safeguarding needs.