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Working within the Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework (CRARMF) is not always straightforward for frontline workers. In the Goldfields, one of our safety advocates decided to do something about it.
Frontline workers combatting family and domestic violence (FDV) in the Goldfields recently came together to improve their knowledge of the issue, with a common goal of developing better services for local women.
HOPE recently funded and hosted a two-day training workshop on the Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework (CRARMF), inviting local service providers to attend for free.
CRARMF was developed by the WA Government to create a common language around FDV indicators, impacts, risks and support needed to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.
It is intended as a tool to facilitate good collaboration and communication between service providers, so they in turn can identify which women need support and what type of support they need.
However, a lack of resources and dedicated training in how to use the tool meant that, in the Goldfields, it was often being used differently by different service providers. Key information was being recorded differently in safety risk assessments, and in some cases, left out altogether.
Mara Pirni Healing Place senior safety advocate Hannah Jacklin was eager to change that.
Building a CRARMF common language
“We were not all speaking the same language,” she said.
“But by giving everyone the same understanding, the same language, then we will be able to provide better services for women.”
Ms Jacklin organised the Domestic Abuse Resource and Training (DART) Group to run their CRARMF Comprehensive Training masterclass in Kalgoorlie in late May.
Run by DART Group Director Jolene Ellat, the workshop attracted 23 participants from 11 local service providers, including HOPE, Wanslea, WA Police, Anglicare WA, Aboriginal Family Legal Services, Yorgum Healing Services and Bega Garnbirringu.
Ms Jacklin said she felt the event to be incredibly successful.
As part of the workshop, participants were invited to completed a post-event self-assessment survey on the training they received. At the end of the training, nearly all of the participants (95%) said they felt confident in their ability to complete the CRARMF risk assessment.
Beyond the training itself, Ms Jacklin said the conversations on the day were also valuable.
“Being present gave us the opportunity to gain further insight into gaps in service delivery across the Goldfields and allowed us to participate in….conversations with other stakeholders about where our workforce needs development.”
Hope Community Services operates the Mara Pirni Healing Place in Kalgoorlie, which supports women and children experiencing FDV.
