Priority 2: Service Integrity

Supporting and strengthening our workforce

To shift the focus of our system to families with multiple and complex needs, we must support our workforce to make this transition. Well-supported, trained, compassionate and motivated workers, able to practice with integrity in difficult situations, are critical in delivering effective service outcomes for children and families. The Child and Family Support System workforce must operate ‘as one’ so all families receive the same healing approach and quality of service, based on a shared foundation of knowledge and practice skills across all services. The system will have a purposeful and unwavering focus on building the Aboriginal workforce and supporting non-Aboriginal staff to work well with Aboriginal communities. This means supporting staff to embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Placement Principle (identification, prevention, partnership, placement and participation).

Practice framework

Shared tools, resources, policy and practice guidance will be collaboratively developed to assist at all system levels and steps of the service journey.

Culturally responsive and trauma responsive workforce training

This will be a central resource for our practitioners and leaders to strengthen trauma responsiveness at all levels of the system.

Common Elements approach

The Common Elements Approach draws on evidence informed practice and provides opportunities for reflective practice in partnership with the Lived Experience Network. The success of practitioner’s efforts in family preservation is directly related to having a stable, skilled, and diverse workforce that feels valued, supported and inspired. Common Elements are discrete techniques or practice, grounded in evidence and can be used to build client engagement and facilitate changes in family functioning to ensure the safety of children. An implementation support phase will assist practitioners to embed these elements in practice across the Child and Family Support System.

Trauma-Responsive System Framework

A new training program has been developed by Aboriginal people to build the capacity of the sector’s practitioners to work in culturally responsive and trauma-responsive ways with Aboriginal people.

Communities of Practice

Practitioners and leaders from across the sector will participate in shared learning and reflective discussions about practice and the progress of the reform.

Workforce and sector development plans

Annual action plans will be developed to make sure our future CFSS workforce has the right scale, composition and skills to meet the needs of the families we serve.