For this Case Study, we spoke to:
*Leah, a mother of three young children, entered The Orange Door (TOD) due to multiple family violence incidents involving her husband. The situation was assessed as high risk, prompting a coordinated response from a multidisciplinary practice (MDP) team. This collaborative approach provided Leah and her children with essential support, leading to positive outcomes that would not have been achieved without the MDP.
Leah, a mother of three children aged 4, 8 and 10, sought help after enduring ongoing harassment, verbal abuse and threats from her husband. Her husband frequently undermined her parental relationship, taking the children whenever he wanted, and Leah was also self-harming. To ensure her and her children’s safety, Leah left their shared residence and sought assistance through The Orange Door.
Leah’s situation involved multiple family violence incidents, including threats from her husband to take the children, verbal abuse, stalking and harassment. The case also highlighted concerns about Leah’s self-harming behaviour and the potential impact on her children’s wellbeing. The high-risk nature of the situation necessitated immediate and comprehensive intervention.
The MDP team, comprising a men’s family violence practice lead, family violence practice lead and community-based child protection, provided a coordinated response. Key services included securing an intervention order against Leah’s husband, developing a safety plan, arranging short-term crisis housing, providing a mobile phone for emergencies and ensuring weekend support by arranging for a friend to stay with Leah.
The MDP team worked closely together, centring Leah and her children in the process. The team members shared information and insights, enabling a well-rounded and effective response. Continuous communication and collaboration ensured that Leah always had access to support, especially during high-risk times, such as when her husband was served with the family violence intervention order.
The coordinated response led to Leah feeling heard, believed and more confident. She and her children felt safer, and the ongoing support from the entire MDP team provided stability. Although Leah’s husband refused to engage with the men’s family violence practitioner, the steps taken held him accountable for his actions.
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 prioritised Leah’s safety with an intervention order, arranging crisis housing and providing a mobile phone for emergencies. They maintained continuous communication with Leah, ensuring her involvement in decision-making and ongoing access to support. As a result, Leah felt heard, supported and more confident, leading to an increased sense of safety for her and her children. The coordinated response provided stability and empowered Leah to regain control of her situation.
When centring the client, they are more supported, their stories heard, we’re able to use their story in a way that supports their safety, the children’s safety and the family as a whole.
Valuing specialist knowledge enhances family safety and wellbeing, while respecting role boundaries improves practitioner satisfaction and retention.
In this case example, the MDP team, which included a men’s family violence practice lead, a family violence practice lead and community-based child protection, worked collaboratively while respecting each other’s areas of expertise. Each practitioner provided specialised support, ensuring a comprehensive response to Leah’s situation while maintaining clear role boundaries. As a result, the MDP team effectively enhanced the safety and wellbeing of Leah and her children. The coordinated use of specialised roles improved the quality of services delivered, leading to a more effective intervention while also supporting practitioner satisfaction through clear role delineation.
If someone is not sure about something, they are more confident because they know they can go to the Family Violence Practice Lead or the Children’s, Youth and Families practitioner or to the integrated practice leaders to get more information.
Engaging respectfully with fellow practitioners, valuing diverse professional backgrounds and being open to learning from different perspectives.
In this case example, the MDP team engaged respectfully with one another, valuing the diverse professional expertise of each practitioner, including the men’s family violence practice lead, family violence practice lead and child protection. They maintained ongoing communication, sharing insights and collaborating effectively to ensure Leah’s safety and wellbeing. This approach enhanced the quality of care provided to Leah and her children meaning all of Leah’s needs were met.
Clear governance structure, appropriate resources and a shared understanding of roles and processes create a platform for MDP.
In this case example, the MDP team’s coordinated approach was guided by a clear governance structure that allowed the team to allocate appropriate resources, such as securing the intervention order, crisis housing and emergency support for Leah. As a result, there was a comprehensive and well-organised response that improved Leah’s safety and wellbeing.
Timely and effective exchange of relevant data, insights and knowledge across different professionals involved in supporting the client.
In this case example, the MDP team exchanged relevant data and insights, coordinating their response to secure an intervention order, develop a safety plan and arrange crisis housing for Leah and her children. Through continuous communication and collaboration, the team provided timely support during high-risk periods. As a result, Leah felt safer and more confident, and her husband was held accountable for his actions.
I think that commitment [to share information] from all services and agencies to ensure the safety of children and parents and keeping people using violence accountable is just what makes it work.
Leah’s case highlights the effectiveness of an MDP approach in addressing family violence, highlighting how coordinated efforts and client-centred practices can enhance safety and support victim–survivors.
