29 January 2020

Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2019

The purpose of the Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2019 is to amend a number of related acts.

This Bill also introduces two new criminal offences.

One for "suffocation and strangulation", which is indicative of an increased risk of escalating and potentially fatal violence; and another for "persistent family violence", for when a person persistently engages in family violence, committing an act of family violence against a person on three or more occasions over a 10 year period.

It is hoped the legislation will be passed early this year.

Download and Read the Bill

Forward

Paper: A Childhood Without Poverty?

In a recent paper, Centrecare Director, Tony Pietropiccolo AM, reviewed successive governments' failure to tackle poverty, and the way society has moved toward demonising the poor. Despite the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke 30 years ago declaring that no child shall live in poverty, politicians have bandied around labels such as "lifters not leaders" and "dole bludgers", creating a space from which governments have felt empowered to impose increasingly punitive measures on welfare recipients. All the while not one government has put childhood poverty front and centre.

Read the paper

News article: Revamp Mindset on Poverty

96% of organisations recommend this UWA internship program

Do you have a project that could benefit from the hard work of a University of WA intern? The McCusker Centre for Citizenship partners with more than 250 not-for-profit, community, and government organisations to provide quality 100-hour internships to students. Are you interested in hosting an intern? Contact the Internship Coordinator via email [email protected] or phone 08 6488 7553.

Updated resources to aid organisations in keeping WA children and young people safe from harm

The Commissioner for Children and Young People has released updated resources to assist WA organisations in ensuring they have strong policies and procedures in place to protect children in their care.
The updated resources reflect the ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations that have been endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments and that each of the ten principles was achievable and relevant in reducing the risk of children and young people experiencing harm when in the care of organisations.
The Commissioner has also produced a checklist for parents and carers to help them in choosing organisations and outlines they can support their children to speak up on concerns.
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations WA resources are available through the Commissioner's website.

Download resources

Youth Mental Health Masterclass

Youth Focus is presenting a full day, interactive Youth Mental Health Masterclass featuring Professor Patrick McGorry and other preeminent clinicians and researchers about the latest evidence, research and best practice for working with young people with mental health concerns. Topics include: clinical complexity, early psychosis, alcohol and substance abuse, self-harm and suicide prevention. Register for the event on Wednesday 19 February in Perth, which is supported by Deloitte Perth and WA Primary Health Alliance.

Event - Hopeful Voyager: Navigating your way through the ambiguous losses of mental ill health

Ambiguous loss is characterised by a lack of clarification and closure. It often occurs in the context of mental ill health, as symptoms, diagnosis, intervention, and the responses of others can be unclear or fluctuating. This loss is rarely openly acknowledged or supported by the wider community. Social workers work across many organisations that assist clients experiencing mental distress and challenges. The concept of ambiguous loss has been researched to be relevant for working therapeutically in mental health services, child protection, older age services and trans and gender diverse people to name a few. Join the workshop on Thursday 27 February.

Anglicare WA Training Calendar

Anglicare delivers a range of training programs at their East Perth office. Throughout the year, new training programs are added to the schedule. If you would like training for more than 10 of your employees, Anglicare WA may be able to arrange training to take place in your work or office, email via [email protected] for more information and a quote. For all other training programs delivered throughout the year, keep an eye on the Training calendar.

Download Training Calendar

Is your organisation federally funded to deliver activities that involve children?

From 1 February 2020, organisations currently receiving or seeking federal funding, including grants and procurement, may be required to comply with child safety requirements consistent with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework, including meeting the requirements of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Child Wise can help you build the capacity of your leadership team, staff and volunteers to ensure your organisation meets these requirements, and is effective in ensuring the safety of children and young people in your care. Child safety training programs are designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to facilitate cultural change in their organisation and to embed a child safety mindset from the front line to the boardroom. If you're unsure where your organisation stands on the spectrum, please email WA Child Wise State Manager, Selina Horrocks via [email protected], who can assist further.

Browse the training and events

National Volunteering Conference - Perth

The program for the National Volunteering Conference 2020 is now available and features a variety of sessions with speakers from the UK, Australia and New Zealand addressing the Conference themes of Diversity, Power, Purpose. Samuel Johnson will be the conference keynote speaker, and will share his amazing journey of ‘Purpose’. In 2012 Samuel co-founded 'Love Your Sister' charity with his sister Connie and pledged to raise $10 million for cancer research in her name. In August 2019, two years on from Connie's death, this target was met. Taking time from his fundraising and advocacy journey, it will be a truly memorable experience to have Samuel share his remarkable story.

More information

Baptistcare’s focus on care extends to employees

Belmont-based Baptistcare have earned silver recognition from Healthier Workplace WA (HWWA) for their focus on employee health. Baptistcare is one of the state's largest NFP providers of residential care, home care services and retirement living. They employ more than 1,200 skilled and professional employees and engage more than 300 volunteers throughout their 11 residential care facilities, nine retirement villages and 'in-the-home' service deliveries. Baptistcare's Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program is overseen by a Program Coordinator and Wellness Taskforce. Baptistcare CEO Russell Bricknell said: “Prioritising and improving the health and wellbeing of employees is an essential way we demonstrate we are an organisation that cares deeply about people – both the people we serve as well as the people we employ.”

Markets reflect the diversity of the Mirrabooka community

One of Australia’s most multicultural suburbs is celebrating its diversity with a unique, grass roots market showcasing authentic food, arts and crafts and uplifting entertainment from around the world. The Mirrabooka Community Markets represent an opportunity for local residents to learn new skills, establish a small business and create a sense of community. Markets are scheduled for February 13 and March 19 at The Square Mirrabooka. The initiative is led by MercyCare in partnership with The City of Stirling and The Square Mirrabooka, and Federally-funded by a Fostering Integration Grant. Photo: Gasian Tembo GeeTee Imagez Stallholders have been given training on how to market and sell their products; food handling; stall management and sustainability; as well as learning lessons from the organisers of other Perth markets. Stalls will be located in the Sudbury Road carpark of The Square Mirrabooka.

Pay it Forward ConnectGroups' small grants programs

The Pay it Forward Plan (PIF) is a small grants program available to ConnectGroups’ members. It is an early intervention and prevention mental health initiative. The objective of PIF is to empower and encourage peer Support Groups to achieve positive mental health outcomes and further mental health support to their members. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for your project within funding categories of capacity building and sustainability, marketing and promotion, information technology, or customised projects. Read more for inspiration from past grant recipients. Pay it Forward grant applications are open until Thursday 27 February 2020.

More info

Developing an Aboriginal empowerment strategy

The Western Australian Government is developing a strategy to guide how it works with Aboriginal people towards better social, economic, health and cultural outcomes.
A whole-of-government strategy will provide all WA Government agencies with a clear, common direction, consistent logic and shared vision for the future. This will allow agencies to work better, and will strengthen Government accountability to the WA community.
The Government is seeking input from Aboriginal people, and a range of other stakeholders, to help shape the strategy.
To begin that conversation, A Path Forward: Developing the Western Australian Government’s Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy is a discussion paper that has been developed in collaboration with the WA Aboriginal Advisory Council and a range of Aboriginal organisations.
Feedback on the discussion paper is important and will help with the development of the final strategy, which will be formally adopted by the Government in early 2020. The last date to make a written submission is Friday 28 February 2020. Written submissions can be emailed via [email protected] or phone the Aboriginal Policy and Coordination Unit DPC via 08 6552 5000 for any enquiries.

Event - International Women's Day Sparkling High Tea

Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services WA invites you to celebrate International Women's Day in style while fundraising for our Funds for Freedom Project. Join us at the Duxton Hotel on Friday 6th March, 3pm-5pm to enjoy good company, excellent cake, and listen to a brave woman tell her story of surviving domestic violence. Tickets $80 per person, tables of 10.

Book now

Survey: Helping children who have experienced neglect

In the past year, have you worked with children who have experienced neglect? If so your insights are valuable. This 30-minute survey is part of a PhD research project at La Trobe University undertaken by PhD candidate Annette Jackson, under the supervision of Prof Margarita Frederico, Dr Helen Cleak, and Dr Bruce D. Perry. The survey is available until the end of January. Later, there will be focus groups which respondents may also be interested (in March to May 2020).

Take the survey

Volunteering WA National Volunteer Grants now open

Volunteering WA, with thanks to ongoing support from Lotterywest, is pleased to announce that we are once again offering our members and volunteer involving organisations around the state a fantastic opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $1,000 to organise an event which recognises and thanks volunteers during National Volunteer Week which will be held between 18 - 24 May 2020. Grant applications will remain open until Sunday 8 March 2020.

Survey - Our Turn to Speak

Our Turn to Speak survey will stay open until the end of March 2020. Our Turn to Speak is a national survey that seeks to understand the life experiences of people living with severe and complex mental health issues in Australia. This survey is being conducted by SANE Australia’s Anne Deveson Research Centre, in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences, with the support of the Paul Ramsay Foundation.

Take the survey