This item is in the NZFVC Good Practice Database.

This Standard sets out the minimum requirements for individuals and agencies/services working with families where there is violence, including child abuse and/or neglect. The Standard aims to encourage good practice and a systematic, evidence-based approach to screening for family violence, assessing risk, and developing safety planning interventions. It is designed to be generic and applicable across different sectors and sites. The Standard was developed by a committee of experts from government and non-government agencies convened by Standards New Zealand. It is recognised as good practice by the New Zealand Police and those agencies involved in the Standard's development. General information related to working with family violence is provided in the document. The Standard utlilises the same family violence prevention principles that are outlined in "Te Rito: New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy". The importance of cultural awareness within family violence work is highlighted, and principles for working with Maori whanau and Pacific fanau are outlined. Agency requirements for written policy and procedures, training, worker safety and supervision, information storage and sharing, organisational culture, and collaboration are detailed. The Standard outlines the specific purposes, types, and processes of family violence screening, including tools for screening for different kinds of abuse, screening questions and when to ask them, and responding to disclosures. Flow charts and examples from agencies are included. Various kinds of risk assessment are defined and their purposes and procedures are outlined, along with suggested risk assessment questions and examples of resources already being used in New Zealand. Safety planning principles are discussed, with detailed information on when and how different safety plans can be developed, who should be involved, and what they can include. The document also contains a list of references, a glossary, and examples of New Zealand models and practice.

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