good practice
What is the Good Practice database?
Elements of Good Practice
Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice
Using the Good Practice Database
Browse Headings
Good Practice entries
Issues in good practice
Good Practice Hotline
Other Clearinghouse Good Practice Publications
Contact us
What is the Good Practice Database?
The Good Practice Database is a publicly accessible collection of examples of Australian domestic violence related programs, services or responses which reflect elements of good practice. These elements are listed below.
The aims of the database are to publicise information about initiatives so they can be showcased throughout the country, to assist in information sharing and to provide some archival summaries of pilot programs. The database helps to promote high standards across the sector, by enabling agencies and service providers to keep up-to-date with service models, new initiatives and current standards of practice and to assist planning and development in a field where resources are often limited. The Good Practice database can help ensure cash-strapped services are not “re-inventing the wheel”, and is testimony to the collaborative and cooperative ethic embraced by professionals working to reduce violence or support victims.
The list of entries is compiled and maintained by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse. However, a listing in the Good Practice database does not constitute endorsement by the Clearinghouse.
Elements of Good Practice
Programs, projects, services and initiatives assessed for the Good Practice Database are of a high standard and include the following elements:
1 Principles and Definitions which reflect Good Practice
Definitions of domestic violence which address the processes of abuse, minimise victim-blaming and enable effective support and prevention. Programs and services representing good practice include:
Principles and policies which:
(a) reflect the primacy of women’s and children’s safety,
(b) define domestic violence as,
- physical
- sexual
- psychological
- emotional
- verbal
- social and/or
- financial
abuse, in an existing or former intimate-partner relationship, which causes ongoing fear. The definition acknowledges the experience of children who witness or live with domestic violence,
(c) hold perpetrators accountable for their behaviour and aim to reduce incidents of violence committed by perpetrators,
(d) acknowledge that abuse is used to gain and maintain power and control,
(e) recognise that domestic violence is a gender issue,
(f) recognise that acts of violence are criminal acts, irrespective of class, culture, race, religion, age or disability or the private location of the acts of violence, and
(g) are ethical.
2 A recognition of cultural diversity and other diverse needs within the community
Good practice recognises the diversity of communities and of women’s needs. Good Practice responses are alert to hidden discrimination and prioritise universal, equitable access and design. Women’s diverse abilities, responsibilities, income levels, ages, sexualities, cultural or religious frameworks, and the complexities of their trauma are acknowledged in program development and provision.
3 Represents innovation or a practice benchmark
Many listings on the Good Practice database are new initiatives or provide benchmarks for practice.
4 Potential for adoption or development within a range of settings across the nation
Programs, guidelines and initiatives on the Good Practice database have the potential to be adopted or used by other services.
5 A clearly defined conceptual framework or evidence base
Programs built on a clearly defined theoretical or conceptual framework are better able to identify whether they meet the accepted good practice principles noted above.
Programs based on research and theories which have provided evidence of their effectiveness or appropriateness reflect good practice. Many of the entries on the database relate to research which can be accessed through the Clearinghouse research and Resources database.
6 Clearly defined aims and objectives, which focus on safety and violence reduction
Clearly defined aims allow organisations to work out whether their programs are working and whether they help to enhance the safety of victims and reduce perpetrator violence.
7 Informed by consultative processes
Listening to the needs or the feedback of diverse stakeholders or community members can be important in making sure the program is accessible and relevant and that any potential victimisation or discrimination is identified. Consultation gives voice to the community in program development and can provide feedback for continuous improvement. Good consultative processes are the cornerstone of good partnerships in practice.
8 Skilled, supported and supervised workforce
A skilled workforce is an important component of the service infrastructure necessary for good practice. Organisations demonstrating good practice provide appropriate support structures and supervision, including clinical supervision, where appropriate, as well as training and policies to help staff respond most effectively.
9 Good governance, planning, and policy development
Good practice is supported by good infrastructure. Organisations demonstrating good practice are well-managed and accountable. They develop good internal systems and processes and engage in strategic thinking, community development, research and policy development, such as OH&S, Access and Equity and client rights policies.
10 Monitoring and meaningful evaluation
Does the program ‘work’? To find out, information about outcomes needs to be collected and monitored. Evaluation allows organisations to work out whether the program is doing what it was set up to do. Effective evaluation enables organisations to demonstrate results or outcomes which reflect program aims or goals. Evaluation is also used to troubleshoot and assist in ongoing program or service improvement. Organisations which monitor or evaluate their work are more likely to be committed to developing and fine-tuning their work to achieve the best possible outcomes. When evaluations are publicly available, they also help make programs accountable to their communities.
Collecting data which relates to program goals provides the raw materials for ongoing monitoring, so organisations can keep check on their achievements, even where there may not be funding for larger scale evaluations.
11 Multi-agency service collaboration
Good Practice in service provision addresses the silos and territorial problems across agencies, as these can be a second source of abuse for victims. Multi-agency service collaboration can range from a loose alignment achieved through participation within local networks campaigning against domestic violence, to fully integrated systems. For more information about multi-agency responses, click here.
12 High-level support and coordinated management
Leadership is vital to good practice. Top level support ensures that problems can be ironed out, funding levels are realistic and policies, cross-agency memoranda and protocols are implemented. This is of particular importance in government-based services or responses, where Ministerial and CEO commitment underpins effective program implementation.
Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice
The Good Practice Database includes links to program standards, guidelines, protocols and codes of practice, published by peak bodies, agencies and government departments. These often contain literature reviews and research evidence and are an excellent resource for services and planners. The standards page can be reached through the appropriate ‘browse heading’ on the Good Practice front page.
Inclusion of standards, guidelines, protocols and codes of practice in the Good Practice database does not constitute endorsement by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse.
Using the Good Practice Database
The Good Practice database can be used by clicking onto any of the groups of listings contained in the browse headings (see below). Alternatively keywords can be typed into the top box on the Good Practice front page. The Keywords search function is broad and user-friendly and can include words such as organisation names, types of programs, states/territories or target groups.
The database can also be searched using a program title or record number, if these are known. To view all records on the database, type ‘*’ into the record ID box.
We welcome your feedback on the usability of the database. If you have any comments or suggestions, contact us.
Browse Headings
Browse headings provide a fast entry point into groupings of records. The easy-click sorting by browse headings divides the database into categories of target communities, service types, modes of intervention and program size.
Browse headings relating to program size or scope distinguish between large-scale programs and small campaigns or pilots. The Good Practice database is building an archived record of short-term and pilot programs which have not been able to secure ongoing funding, in spite of their value.
Practice guidelines, standards, codes of practice and protocols listed on the Research and Resources database can also be accessed through browse headings.
Good Practice entries
Good Practice records are assessed and compiled by the Clearinghouse Good Practice Project Office, following completion of a Good Practice Submission form which can be sent to your organisation by email or mail. Click here to access the submission form.
We invite organisations to share information about their programs through the database. Inclusion on the Good Practice database showcases a program or service and helps to maintain its profile. It also helps other services to learn from the experience of their colleagues, or adapt innovations to their own communities, which saves time and resources.
Submissions do not need to relate to current programs. Pilot projects which may have been completed are welcomed, as the database provides an archive for projects that reflect good practice but may not have secured continuing funding.
Issues in good practice
Each Clearinghouse Newsletter contains a feature article looking at a current issue in domestic violence work practice. These features often provide lively discussion of issues or include practice guidelines. Click here to view Issues in Good Practice features.
Good Practice Hotline
The Good Practice hotline provides information about the Good Practice database or practice-related issues. Phone 02 9385 3843 on Wednesday afternoons (2-4 pm, Eastern standard or summer time).
Other Clearinghouse Good Practice publications
Clearinghouse publications often feature practice-related topics. Click here to view.
Contact us
Contact the Good Practice Project Office,
email: clearinghouse@unsw.edu.au and include “Good Practice” in the subject line.
phone: 02 9385 3843 or 1800 753 382 (Mondays and Tuesdays)
fax: 02 9385 2993.
The Information Officer can also be contacted on 02 9385 2990 for information on using the database, or to report broken links.
