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This case study examines the multidisciplinary practice (MPD) response to a family referred to a specialist family violence service due to abuse perpetrated by *John, the father/stepfather, towards his partner *Sue and her child *Andy. The coordinated efforts of the practitioners involved led to significant safety and wellbeing outcomes for the family.
The family consists of Sue (mother), John (father/stepfather), Andy (a 17-year-old trans male, biological child of Sue and stepchild of John), and *Chris (a 10-year-old male, biological child of both Sue and John). The family was referred to the family violence service due to John’s abusive behaviour, which included transphobic abuse and controlling behaviour towards Andy, as well as physical violence, including strangulation, towards Sue.
The primary issues presented were the ongoing family violence perpetrated by John, including physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Andy faced transphobic abuse and control from John, while Sue experienced severe physical violence. There was an immediate need for safety planning, including obtaining an Intervention Order against John, and emotional support for Sue and Andy, as well as protection for Chris.
A child wellbeing worker was assigned to support Andy, and Sue was referred to a specialist family violence worker. Together, the practitioners provided a proactive and coordinated approach to support the needs of the family. This included discussing their individual roles and boundaries and sharing information to support collaboration between roles. Information sharing and joint advocacy ensured a seamless and effective response from other services, including the police and educational institutions, in support of the family.
Using a multidisciplinary practice approach, a safety plan was actioned that involved serving John with an Intervention Order. In addition, child protection placed Chris in Sue’s care. This coordinated approach allowed Sue, Andy and Chris to return to their home, while John was removed, ensuring the safety and stability of the family. The practitioners maintained ongoing communication and collaboration to ensure all aspects of the family’s needs were addressed.
The intervention resulted in a successful safety plan for the family, with John being removed from the home and Sue gaining custody of Chris. Andy received support tailored to his unique needs as a transgender young person, and the family was able to remain in their home without further threats from John. The coordinated response from multiple services provided a holistic solution to the complex issues the family was facing.
Key features critical to the success of the MDP and outcomes achieved in this case study include:
Centring the voices, interests and choices of victim–survivors across every aspect of service provision.
In this case example, the MDP team tailored support services to meet the specific needs of Sue, Andy and Chris. This approach ensured that each family member received the appropriate care and support, with particular attention given to Andy’s unique needs as a transgender young person.
Valuing specialist knowledge enhances family safety and wellbeing, while respecting role boundaries improves practitioner satisfaction and retention.
In this case example, the specialist practitioners, including a family violence worker and a child wellbeing worker, were assigned to the case. Their expertise and defined roles enhanced the effectiveness of the response, addressing both family violence and Andy’s specific challenges, and improving overall practitioner satisfaction.
Multidisciplinary Practice is people coming [together] and remaining within their stream but working together to get better outcomes for people … you’ve got men’s workers, children’s workers, family violence workers … I see it as people working in a team to share information, discuss risks to come up with case plans to get the best outcome.
Engaging respectfully with fellow practitioners, valuing diverse professional backgrounds and being open to learning from different perspectives.
In this case example, practitioners collaborated respectfully with each other and involved external services like police and educational institutions. This approach resulted in comprehensive support for the family, addressing their complex needs effectively
Clear governance structure, appropriate resources and a shared understanding of roles and processes create a platform for MDP.
In this case example, a clear governance structure was established with defined roles and boundaries for all involved practitioners. This organised response, including legal interventions and ongoing support, ensured the family’s safety and stability.
Timely and effective exchange of relevant data, insights and knowledge across different professionals involved in supporting the client.
In this case example, relevant information was shared effectively and in a timely way among practitioners, police and educational institutions. This exchange of information addressed the family’s immediate safety needs and resolved the situation effectively.
This case highlights the success of an MDP approach in effectively addressing family violence. Key recommendations include maintaining clear role definitions, fostering strong communication and collaboration among practitioners, supporting specialisation through ongoing training, ensuring strong leadership and allocating sufficient time and resources to enhance effective teamwork.
