On Tuesday 13 September, Department of Human Services Secretary Kathryn Campbell acknowledged the significant work done within the department to raise awareness of family and domestic violence.
Representatives from teams across the department who implemented the Family and Domestic Violence Strategy, proudly accepted the Secretary’s Award.
Scott Wilson and his team lead the implementation of the strategy and attributes the success to a wholly dedicated department, from front line staff through to the Secretary.
The Family and Domestic Violence Strategy ensures staff can provide information, referrals and support to people affected by family and domestic violence.
“Our challenge was to raise awareness, and provide a framework to proactively and consistently engage and assist staff and customers affected by this incredibly complex issue,” Scott says.
Across the department nearly 20,000 service officers have received specialised training, facilitated by the department’s social workers, to help identify customers who are affected by family and domestic violence and to connect them to the most appropriate support.
“Our front-line staff work in an extremely demanding environment, so their willingness to apply the risk identification and referral model we’ve developed to support customers has been amazing,” Scott says.
“Winning this award is such fantastic recognition for all of the staff who have worked extremely hard to raise awareness of family and domestic violence,” Georgie McBride from the Social Work Services Branch said.
“I am especially proud of the work achieved by our social workers in supporting our staff through the training and for continuing to support our customers who are affected by family and domestic violence.
“Rolling out training across our national workforce was an enormous undertaking, but the feedback from those who have received the training has been fantastic.”
The department recognises that statistically we will have staff – both male and female – who are personally impacted by family and domestic violence.
A new staff family and domestic violence contact line was established for staff and managers requiring information, advice and support.
Susan Moriarty from the People Division said the line has received a number of calls since it was established in July 2015.
“The majority of calls have been from staff directly impacted by family and domestic violence,” Susan said.
“The feedback we have received indicates that this dedicated line greatly assists staff to feel safe, informed and supported at work.”
Nigel Baker from the Community Engagement Division, and his team developed an internal communication campaign to support the strategy, called “Enough” which resonated with the workforce.
The “Enough” branding is featured on the department’s website and internal intranet, posters within service centres and encourages staff and customers impacted by family and domestic violence to seek help.
Georgie says the Family and Domestic Violence strategy is an incredibly important piece of work.
“The strategy demonstrates some of the best attributes of the department – collaboration and commitment to helping people. It is truly an example of the department’s “We” culture at its best,” Georgie said.
More information
Read about other Pinnacle Award winners.
