As part of the PATRICIA project, a set of domestic violence-informed case reading tools were used to review child welfare cases from five different states. The tools, which were developed and utilized by the Safe and Together Institute (formerly David Mandel & Associates) in the
United States and the United Kingdom, were included in the project to give a national level, in-depth look at current child welfare domestic violence case practice across Australia. This appears to be the first international level review of this type in Australia or any other country.
The case reading process uses the Safe and Together™ Model (Appendix) and related domestic violence-informed child welfare continuum of practice framework to identify strengths and needs regarding domestic violence-informed child welfare practice. The case reading process uses an in-depth, qualitative review of a small number of randomly
selected cases to identify trends and practices that can be examined by child welfare and their partners for validity, significance and meaning. Identified strengths and needs point back toward possible needed changes in a variety of areas including policy, practice, training, supervision, services, collaboration with community partners and work with the courts. The process is designed to examine if domestic violence is being effectively identified in cases,
and the quality of domestic violence practice in cases where it is identified. This case reading process differs from a large scale data or quantitative review as it seeks to focus on the quality of the case level practice as reflected in the case record. (From the Executive summary). The 12 page Executive summary can be found on the website. See also the links to the ANROWS PATRICIA project and to the Safe & Together Institute. Record #5721