Family Violence

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Family Violence

Family Violence Credential

Social workers play a critical and leading role in supporting people affected by Family Violence.

The Family Violence Credential was created to help the community and other stakeholders distinguish social workers who possess specialist skills and experience in the complex and highly sensitive area of family violence.

Following the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, the AASW prioritised the creation of a specific Family Violence Credential with the input of sector knowledge leaders and practitioners.

AASW members achieving credentials can use these post-nominals

Accredited Family Violence Social Worker – MAASW AFVSW

Benefits of a Family Violence Credential

Leadership

Specialised family violence social workers are employed in senior roles. Your accreditation recognises you as leader in this area of social work.

Advocacy

Holding a family violence accreditation means you are invited to contribute to policy and change when it comes to the crisis response of violence against women.

Opportunity

Holding the Family Violence Credential is public recognition to your peers, the public and future employers that you have the skills and experience to undertake this very demanding and complex role.

Family Violence Credentials FAQs

  • Our Social Work Online Training platform contains Family Violence specific on-demand training, as well as a selection of Live training which can be accessed through our events calendar. Accredited Family Violence Social Workers are required to meet the CPD requirements annually to maintain their credential.
  • Social Work Australia is the AASWs online community of practice, providing a dynamic, member-led space for peer connection, support, discussion, and learning through shared practice knowledge, experiences and resources. There is a dedicated Family Violence group where members can share and collaborate fellow credentialed members.

Applicants who are not currently working in direct practice can also be eligible for the family violence credential if they can demonstrate their understanding of the family violence capabilities that are fundamental to their ability to perform their role. This might apply to roles such as research, education and leadership and management roles.

You are required to show at least two (2) years’ full-time equivalent, post-qualification experience within the past five (5) years in a family violence setting. You must only include in this section employment positions from within the last five (5) years that are relevant to family violence. These roles must have been held after having qualified from an accredited social work course.

Direct and Indirect Practice – Applicants who are not currently working in direct practice can also be eligible for the family violence credential if you can demonstrate that your understanding of the family violence capabilities is fundamental to your ability to perform your role. This might apply to roles such as research, education and leadership and management roles.

The below information can be used for you to make as assessment of each role you have performed, to determine if it is a family violence social work setting.

In the field of family violence, social workers are employed in a broad range of roles and organisations providing prevention, early intervention, crisis and long term responses. However, social work with victims/survivors of family violence can occur in any practice context.

  • Advocacy groups
  • Aged care
  • Antenatal and postnatal services
  • Child protection
  • Community health services
  • Community legal centres
  • Corrections systems
  • Crisis accommodation and refuges
  • Disability services
  • Drug and alcohol services
  • Family support services
  • Family violence support and outreach services
  • Homelessness service
  • Hospitals
  • Indigenous support services
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex and queer
  • (LGBTIQ+) services
  • Magistrates’ Courts,
  • Family Court and other court support services
  • Mental health services
  • Multicultural or CALD agencies
  • Policy and research
  • Schools and other organisations that work with young people
  • Sexual assault services
  • Women’s health organisations
  • Women’s support services

When working with women, the scope of social work practice in family violence includes:

  • Prevention and Early Intervention
  • Assessment
  • Crisis Interventions
  • Counselling, therapeutic interventions and group work
  • Case management and service coordination
  • Advocacy & social activism
  • Policy and research.

Payment for the Family Violence Credential must be made in full before any new application, renewal, reinstatement, or secondary application (reassessment or appeal).

An invigilated case study activity is an essential component of the assessment process for all credentials. The activity requires you to provide a written response to two case studies in exam like conditions. In your response you will need to provide your assessment of the situation, and proposed intervention. Please see the Credentials Guide for more detailed information and an example of a credential assessment process.