Pathways to Safety - The Readiness Program

The Safer Families Centre is leading Pathways to Safety - The Readiness Program, a national domestic and family violence (DFV) training program for primary care. This practice-centred training program is aimed at building the capacity of primary health care providers to more confidently and effectively recognise, respond, refer and record disclosures of DFV using a trauma and violence informed approach. Funded by the Australian Government, training will be rolled out nationally to general practices and other primary care providers and their staff from July 2021.

We understand the pressures facing GPs and primary care staff and how busy services are.  However, evidence shows primary care providers have a crucial role to play in addressing DFV but are often lacking the resources, support or confidence to identify and respond to families. It is estimated a full-time GP sees up to five unidentified abused women per week.

Those who choose to participate in the program will be provided with accredited in-practice education, tools and support for the whole of practice to effectively identify, respond and refer individual and families experiencing DFV. General Practices and Community Health Services eligible to apply for the free program.

The Pathways to Safety training program was designed with a holistic view not specifically tailored to Aboriginal medical services, Aboriginal peoples, and their respective communities. Although the program has content related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we understand that all communities are different. 

There is a one pager information sheet available on request for Aboriginal medical services, that may help with any questions or concerns. 
For enquires contact, Brad Anderson our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support officer: brad.anderson@unimelb.edu.au

How does the program work?

·        All clinical and non-clinical staff within the practice or service participate in the training

·        Flexible and delivered at times that suit participants

·        Content tailored for primary care providers by Kelsey Hegarty’s team at Safer Families Centre, University of Melbourne

·        Training delivered by skilled GP Facilitators and Family Violence Support Workers, with follow up provided

·        Includes consideration of working in the context of the pandemic

·        Training is fully funded

This program has been approved as an RACGP CPD activity for:

·       3 hours Educational Activities (EA) for Pathways to Safety

·       4 hours Reviewing Performance (RP) for Pathways to Safety

Plus 1.5 hours Educational Activities (EA) for e-learning component

The Pathways to Safety component has also been approved as an ACRRM CPD activity for:

·       3 hours Educational Activities (EA)

·       3 hours Reviewing Performance (RP)

·       1 hours Measuring Outcomes (MO)

What will you be asked to do?

Clinical staff will:

·        Undertake training for up to 8.5 hours per practice (3 hours contact online)

·        Preparation for training includes written and interactive material and a 1.5-hour E-Learning course

·        Complete two 1.5-hour virtual sessions delivered by a GP Facilitator and Family Violence Worker

·        Reflect on current practice, test new tools and participate in experiential learning

·        Patient audit to support learning, for practice information only

·        Pre and post survey

·        Participate in GP-led Implementing Pathways to Safety session with other practices for follow up to training

Non-clinical staff will:

·       Undertake training for up to 3 hours per practice (1.5 hours contact online)

·        Preparation for training includes written and interactive material

·        Complete one 1.5-hour virtual sessions delivered by a GP Facilitator and Family Violence Worker

·        Brief pre and post survey

To register your interest, please complete an Expression of Interest via the registration link on this webpage or to find out more contact Safer Families Project Officer, Kitty Novy at k.novy@unimelb.edu.au