Planned Area of Action 10
Area of Action 10
Enhance screening and risk assessment
Responsibility
| Lead | Other |
|---|---|
| DCYFS and Police | FVFG (sub-group to be established that will include Health and Education) |
Action details
Review and evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing screening and risk assessment tools, guidelines and procedures for the identification of violence in families/whanau 17; and investigate options and make recommendations for extending and promoting the development and use of these tools, guidelines and procedures 18.
Link to goals and objectives
Goal 3. Objective 3(iv).
Timeframe
A number of initiatives are currently underway, such as the implementation of the Family Violence Guidelines for Health Sector Providers, which are contributing, in part, to meeting this action. Consequently this action has already started and is likely to be completed by June 2004.
Rationale
Accurately identifying violence in families/whanau is crucial to ensuring that the violence is promptly addressed. Appropriate mechanisms to screen, investigate and assess individuals and families/whanau are essential ingredients for identifying an appropriate response.
'First contact' people working with children and families/whanau (such as teachers and health professionals) are in a prime position to identify children, adults and elders at risk of family violence. With appropriate guidelines, procedures and training, these professionals would be in a better position to identify the indicators of family violence, know what to do, how best to respond and who to refer these families to. Education about identifying violence in families/whanau, and how best to respond, could be provided within tertiary institutions and private training establishments for people (in particular teachers and health professionals) intending to work with children and families/whanau. However, at the very least, basic on-the-job training should be available for all people working with children and families/whanau.
Preliminary targets
- To have evaluated the effectiveness and appropriateness of screening and risk assessment mechanisms for the identification of violence in families/whanau by June 2003.
- To have made recommendations for extending and promoting the development and use of effective and appropriate mechanisms by June 2004.
Preliminary measures
- Evaluation framework developed and agreed to.
- Existing mechanisms are reviewed according to the framework's criteria and recommendations for improvements are made (if needed).
- Review is completed on time.
- Options for increasing the use of mechanisms are identified, and recommendations are made where relevant.
17. An evaluation of the effectiveness and appropriateness of tools, guidelines and procedures should include a focus on whether these mechanisms recognise and provide for the special needs of children and older people, and whether the co-occurrence of various forms and types of violence is also recognised and provided for.
18. In particular, consider including education about identifying violence in families/whanau in training programmes for people who work with, or are likely to work with, children and families/whanau.
