Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Mental Health Service is
pleased to make freely available the resources developed and produced by their multinational award winning ‘Addressing Family Violence Programs’ (AFVP) and which
operated from 1996 to early 2012 (for more detailed information about this initiative
go to http://www.rch.org.au/mhs/services/Addressing_Family_Violence_Programs/ ).
Addressing Family Violence Programs (AFVP) Book
This book captures work of the Royal Children's Hospital Mental
Health Program's AFVP over its first decade (1996-2006) and in
particular their group work programs:
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PARKAS
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Just for Kids
The Peek-a-Boo Club™.
It takes the reader through the theory, principles and practice of the
AFVP work as well as their endeavours to measure its effectiveness. It
offers 166 pages packed full of articles, stories from the children themselves and a variety of
interventions utilised in their addressing family violence work. It expands on and complements the
other resources available about the AFVP work and the knowledge provided can be drawn upon in
working with any infant or child who has experienced family violence.
PARKAS (Parents Accepting Responsibility Kids Are Safe) Manual
Parkas is a group work intervention for mothers and their children affected by family violence. As a
recognised example of ‘good practice’, this award winning program is two tiered and targets children
between the ages of 8 to 12 years and their mothers. This manual provides an overview of the theory
that underpins this intervention and provides a week by week guide on how to deliver a parkas
program. Also included are examples of assessment, consent, and evaluation forms, suggested
activities and other additional resources.
Feeling is Thinking (FisT) Manual
Feeling is Thinking (FisT), 2006 TheMHS (Aust & NZ) Gold Award Winner, is a comprehensively
evaluated group work program designed for children (aged between 8 to 11 years) who have difficulty
managing strong emotions (often exhibited through difficulties with internalising or externalising
behaviours), and who struggle to successfully resolve conflict. This intervention has been used
successfully and extensively within both mental health and school settings and highlights the
importance of being sensitive to the needs of those children who have come from backgrounds where
they have experienced family violence.
The Therapeutic Use of Games in Group Work (Book)
Based on years of working with children in a variety of therapeutic groups, the
RCH Mental Health Program produced a professional resource on "The
Therapeutic Use of Games in Group work - When to use them, Why to use
them and How to use them." This terrific book includes a special chapter on
'Training Games for Professionals.' This resource is practical as well as
theoretically informed in its application and is as invaluable for the newcomer,
as the seasoned group work facilitator.
BuBs (Building Up Bonds) On Board
BuBs (Building up Bonds) On Board was a pilot mother/infant group work
intervention trialled in five Tasmanian women's shelters in the first half of
2008. The intervention was aimed at building up the mother/infant bond
where it had been affected by family violence, whilst 'skilling up' shelter
workers in both the delivery of the model and an appreciation of the
potential mental health needs of infants. The report of this pilot gives an
overview of the participants, the intervention and the outcomes. It also
includes an example of the process notes written up after one particular session as well as the feedback
from co-facilitating shelter staff and materials given to participants. Data collected during the
intervention found there were an alarming number of mother/infant relationships in severe distress,
with the majority of infants observed to be suffering from significant developmental delays. This report
concludes that shelters are in an ideal position to do important and urgent work with infants affected by
family violence and to enhance mother/infant bonds. It also suggests that it is important for specialist
children's services and child and adolescent mental health services support this work.
"Refuge for Babies in Crisis":
How crisis accommodation services and workers can assist infants
and their mothers affected by family violence.
Crisis accommodation workers are often the first point of contact or "first
aid" for mothers and their infants seeking refuge from family violence.
While shelters provide the physical safety, workers within them have an
opportunity to provide much needed emotional safety for these infants and
their mothers, beginning with acknowledging that infants are affected by
family violence.
This educational resource for refuge/crisis accommodation workers consists
of a comprehensive workbook, DVD, posters and pamphlets. The package
promotes working with infants who have been traumatized by their experience of family violence,
while strengthening attachment relationships between the mothers and babies who seek refuge
accommodation. This informative resource will change the way workers "see" babies and infants
within their services and will have a lasting impact on the incredibly important work that they do. The
project was funded by the Australian Government.
Hard copies of this resource, the DVD, posters and pamphlets can be ordered from McAuley
Community Services for Women: http://www.mcauleycsw.org.au/assisting-infants-and-theirmothers-affected-by-family-violence.