News

Online Training: Working with Men who use Violence

August 25, 2025

This workshop has been written and will be delivered by Mary Jo McVeigh, a highly respected external expert and sector leader. It represents a unique opportunity to learn directly from a recognised practitioner and thought leader in this field.

The session will introduce participants to a conversational style grounded in safety principles—designed to engage fathers who use violence in a way that increases their protective capacity and accountability. It will promote confidence and skill in transforming difficult interactions into opportunities for respectful, safe engagement and referral to specialist agencies.

By attending, participants will be able to:

• Critically reflect on their own practice.
• Recognise dominant discourses in the domestic violence field and their impact on casework.
• Outline the aims and elements of engaging men who use violence, with safety for women and children at the centre.
• Apply safety frameworks that prioritise protection while engaging men.
• Identify respectful engagement strategies that encourage men to take responsibility for their violence.
• Articulate the conversational pathways that support accountability and promote safe change

Coaching: Developing Meaningful Aboriginal Cultural Support Plans

August 22, 2025

This session will build your confidence and capability in developing Aboriginal Cultural Support Plans that are practical, authentic and respectful.

Together we will explore how to embed Culture as a source of strength and identity for children, avoid tokenism, and work alongside families, communities and ACCOs to ensure each plan reflects lived connections to kin, Country and Culture. Participants will leave with clear strategies, tools and examples to create plans that genuinely support children to grow strong in their Cultural identity.

Coaching: Developing Meaningful CALD Cultural Support Plans

August 22, 2025

This session will strengthen your skills in developing Cultural Support Plans that genuinely reflect the identity, traditions and needs of children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

We will explore how to engage families and communities, respect language and faith practices, and avoid generic or tokenistic approaches. Participants will gain practical strategies and tools to ensure each plan supports children to maintain strong connections to their culture, community and heritage.

Webinar: Difficult Conversations in PSP

August 22, 2025

Difficult conversations will explore knowledge and skills for responding to situations when important, yet difficult conversations are needed in the context of working with clients across the range of permanency support programs. The course will:

• identify the purpose and foundations for engaging in difficult conversations as well as how to address barriers to having meaningful conversations about difficult issues
• provide opportunities to explore strategies and tools that enhance outcomes in partnering with families in difficult conversations that are important to positive outcomes for children and young people.

Webinar: PSP Time Management

June 20, 2025

This training provides PSP casework staff and leaders with tips, tricks, and hacks to get the most out of their time. The training explores:

• how technology can work to make you as efficient as possible how to work smarter, not harder
• how modifying techniques, systems, and approaches can carve out more time to spend with children and families

Online Training: Purposeful Home Visiting

June 20, 2025

This session will explore the vital role of home visits in ensuring children thrive even when they can’t live at home with their parents. Learn how to meet the OOHC standards meaningfully and creatively and discover how planning, heartfelt interactions, and innovative tools can turn each visit into a powerful opportunity for growth and connection. Learn to craft visits that are not just organised but deeply impactful, tailored to each family’s unique needs. From building trust through active listening to igniting joy with creative activities, this session equips you to make a profound difference in every child’s life.

Webinar: Session 3 – Working with Aboriginal Families and Communities

June 20, 2025

“Working with Aboriginal Families and Communities provides information and strategies for PSP casework staff to better understand and support Aboriginal children, families, and communities. This webinar focuses on understanding diversity in Aboriginal culture, privilege and its impacts and how to support a strong sense of identity in Aboriginal children.

Though not mandatory, we recommend enrolling in Session 1 Aboriginal Cultures and Histories and Session 2 Aboriginal Child Protection History to enhance your understanding and effectiveness in supporting Aboriginal children and families.”

Communities of Practice: Working with Men

June 20, 2025

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice (CoP), participants will explore how fathers can positively influence their children’s upbringing and become the nurturing caregivers and role models they always intended to be. The focus will be on practical strategies for engaging men in meaningful change, helping them foster healthy, supportive relationships with their children. Additionally, the CoP will address the critical issue of working with fathers who use violence, offering practice approaches that practitioners can learn from. Key elements include:

– Supporting fathers in becoming the positive influence they aspire to be
– Identifying and managing family violence
– Ensuring safety for both professionals and families
– Using effective communication to facilitate meaningful interactions.

Online Training: Making Family Time Meaningful

June 20, 2025

Making family time meaningful

This training provides PSP casework staff and leaders with information, tools, and resources to support them in helping families and children get the most out of their family time. It will also resource practitioners to support carers in gaining skills and confidence in managing family time where it is safe for them to do so. The training explores:

• The differences between supervising, supporting, or monitoring family time
• Engaging children, families, and carers in decision-making around family time using the Sonya Parker Safe Contact Tool
• Tools, resources, and tricks of the trade to create opportunities for successful family time
• Linking the FAP-C to family time:  Family time is an opportunity for parents to demonstrate their parenting and new skills

Webinar: Session 2 – Aboriginal Child Protection History

June 20, 2025

“Aboriginal Child Protection History provides information and strategies for PSP casework staff to better understand and support Aboriginal children, families, and communities. This webinar focuses on understanding Australia’s history of Aboriginal child protection, intergenerational trauma, and discusses the realities for Aboriginal children today.

Though not mandatory, we recommend enrolling in Session 1 Aboriginal Cultures and Histories and Session 3 Working with Aboriginal Families and Communities to enhance your understanding and effectiveness in supporting Aboriginal children and families.”