Children and Young People Who Witness Family Violence
This initiative aims to provide a voice for children and young people aged 0 to 17 who witness family violence, so that decisions are made in the best interests of children and young people.
Voices of children and young people who witness family violence are often not heard, understood, assessed, or responded to. It is now accepted that children and young people are affected by violence going on around them even if they are not physically hurt.
Family and Community Services contracts non-government agencies in 45 locations throughout the country to employ advocates who work with community organisations to ensure the needs and interests of children and young people affected by family violence are identified and addressed.
Advocates provide community organisations independent consultancy advice and assistance to educate families and communities, and raise awareness about the impact of family violence on children and young people. They support individuals and agencies who work directly with children and young people affected by family violence.
The initiative also provides for a national infrastructure to coordinate professional leadership, training and support for the Advocates.
Jigsaw is a national organisation that advocates on behalf of children and young people against all forms of child harm, neglect and family violence. Jigsaw has been selected to establish and manage the national infrastructure to provide leadership, training and support for advocates and host agencies.
This initiative is part of a nationwide focus among family violence prevention agencies to improve responses to children and young people who are affected by family violence.
Practice Guidelines
Service specifications, which used to be part of the contract, have now been repackaged into easy to read guidelines. These are to be read alongside contracts as best practice ways to deliver each service.
