DiVeRT (Domestic Violence Response Training)

DiVeRT is an exciting training opportunity funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Health and Ageing for the Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers as Domestic Violence Referral Points Project.

We are pleased to advise that the program has been extended to July 2011, with new face to face workshops and e-learning places available. Click on the link on the right to access the training schedule or email the DiVeRT Trainers, Kathryn on kathryn.white@lifeline.org.au or Colin on colin.drew@lifeline.org.au if you have any queries.

What is the training about?

The training will provide participants with:  

• details on the extent and impact of family and domestic violence and why it is so difficult for victims to seek help;
• information, skills and support so that health professionals will feel more comfortable and confident recognising domestic and family violence, assessing risk, safety planning, making appropriate referrals, and accessing available resources in their communities;
• information that can be used to raise community awareness about the pathways to accessing support;
• strategies for ensuring their own safety; and 
• links to peers within their region, to reduce any isolation they may experience in their work.

The Trainers will be available by phone or email to support staff with the training and workbook. The training package takes into consideration the different perspectives on non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences and needs in their respective communities.

Why is the training important?

The Personal Safety Survey 2005 found that more than one in three Australian women said they had experienced violence since they were 15 years of age. Of those women who experienced violence 64% did not report the incident to police, approximately 90% did not access any crisis service or legal help, and more than 10% did not talk to anyone about the incident. General Practices and other health services have been identified through research as organisations as having the opportunity to identify those who may have experienced domestic and family violence and link them in to available supports.

In 2006 national consultations with key stakeholders; in particular, Practice Nurses (PNs) and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) were undertaken. Those consultations along with existing training options were used to inform the development and the delivery of this training.

Who is the training for?

The training is for Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers in Rural and Remote Areas (RRMA) zones 3-7. However there are also spaces in workshops for other health professionals who would find the training useful in their work, eg nurses, counsellors, psychologists, doctors, mental health workers etc.

Who is providing the training?

The training will be conducted by qualified Trainers Kathryn White and Colin Drew from Lifeline Australia with the assistance of local Indigenous trainers where possible.

What qualification will I attain by completing the training?

Training participants will receive a recognised Statement of Attainment for the unit CHCDFV301A - Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic & Family Violence. The training is structured to support assessment and training delivery against relevant units of competency and qualifications in Community Services CHC08.

Where is the training?

Lifeline Australia will be providing the training in regional locations around Australia as well as offering the e-learning option for eligible PNs and AHWs Extensive stakeholder consultations prior to the commencement of this project encourages face to face training as the preferred training option. Travel support payments are available for eligible participants.

When is the face to face training?

Download the schedule of dates and locations for DiVeRT training.

The face to face workshops involve pre reading, attending a 2 day workshop, completing a workbook and a final call from the Trainer to go over the workbook and ask a few questions of underpinning knowledge. Once achieved competency participants will be sent a Statement of Attainment.

E-Learning

If you are an eligible PN or AHW from a PIP eligible practice in RRMA 3-7 and would like to enrol for the E-learning please download the E-learning enrolment form and fax it through to Lifeline Australia (details on form). You will then be contacted by a Trainer and provided with log in details.

How long will the Elearning take?

There is pre-reading material that takes approximately 1.5 hours to read.

The e-learning training takes approximately 18-20 hours, which includes completing the assessment questions. It is expected that the training be completed in around 6 weeks (approximately 3 hours per week). Please consider your current time commitments when enrolling.

What will the training cost?

Participation in the training is free. An incentive payment will be available through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to eligible practices in rural and remote areas that act as a referral point for people experiencing domestic violence. Please contact the PIP enquiry line 1800 222 032 for more details. You may also be eligible for support for travel. accommodation and backfill costs. Please contact the Australian General Practice Network on (02) 6228 0800 on eligibility for support payments.

How do I enrol?

Complete the enrolment form and fax to (02) 6215 9401. Face to face participants will be provided with the pre-reading material and venue details. E-learning participants will be contacted by a Trainer who will guide you through the log in process.

Download the DiVeRT training enrolment form

Information about Trainers

Kathryn White has been involved with the DiVeRT project since July 2007 and has worked in the area of domestic and family violence in a variety of roles for over 10 years including 6 years as the Coordinator of the South Australian Domestic Violence Helpline.

Kathryn has co-facilitated a group for men “Confronting Violence and Abuse’ and has also been involved in presenting at women’s support groups. She has extensive training experience in areas such as suicide, family violence, counselling, sexual abuse, working with challenging clients, mental health and crisis intervention. Kathryn has also trained and supervised Lifeline telephone counsellors and worked in a staff coaching role with a government department.

Kathryn completed a Masters in Psychology (Work and Organisational) at UniSA. She also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Certificate in Freelance Writing and a Diploma of Business. Kathryn is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, an Associate member of the College of Organisational Psychologists.

Colin Drew has served in both the British and Australian Air Force’s as a senior manager and retired as a Wing Commander in 2005 having completed 37 years service.

As a personnel manager with Defence personnel constantly deploying both interstate and overseas Colin was responsible for the emotional, physical, educational and moral wellbeing of his staff and had a great deal of involvement in family issues including Loss and Grief, Domestic Violence, Relationship breakdowns, Suicide and child abuse. Over the last 3 years Colin has held a position as a counsellor for Child Sex Abuse survivors and also acted as a Trainer and Assessor for Lifeline Australia.

Colin’s qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Personnel and Operations Management, a Diploma in Professional Counselling, a Diploma of Government Management, a Graduate Certificate in Defence Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Computer Engineering.

If you want further information?

Please contact Kathryn or Colin with any questions or for further information on the project.

Kathryn White
National Coordinator - Learning and Development
Mobile: 0411 821 031
 
kathryn.white@lifeline.org.au
 
Fax: 02 6215 9401

Colin Drew
National Coordinator - Learning and Development
Mobile: 0400 132 138

colin.drew@lifeline.org.au

Fax: 02 6215 9401