SERVICE DELIVERY INITIATIVE

Frankston City Council Frankston Maternal And Child Health Team

Healthy & Safe Communities

Evidence suggests that women are at greatest risk of experiencing family violence from an intimate partner during pregnancy and postpartum. This disturbing reality, combined with the prevalence and continued increase of family violence incidents in the municipality, led to Frankston City Council developing an efficient, safe service that would streamline referrals and access to legal services.

In recognition of family violence being a community issue but also the difficulty of accessing supports that are free, prompt, and offered in a safe setting, Frankston City Council collaborated with Peninsula Community Legal Centre to develop a service to provide Maternal and Child Health clients access to family violence support. The two partners operate from the same site and, through referral pathways, clients are provided with discreet, safe, and fast access to this highly valuable service.

The service’s goal was to increase awareness around family violence while providing clients with accessible and safe support delivered by a qualified lawyer. The service engages at-risk clients in a discreet manner, offering a warm referral to a qualified lawyer. To date, over 60 women have been supported through family violence situations utilising this service.

GLEN EIRA CITY COUNCIL Glen Eira Mums

Violence against women affects a significant number of women and young children and is a serious public health and social problem. Incidents of family violence are underreported, and research indicates that women are at greater risk of experiencing violence from an intimate partner during pregnancy and early parenthood. Established as a pilot program as a proactive response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence to address violence against women, the Glen Eira Mums (GEMS) Project was established in 2018 in joint partnership between Glen Eira City Council’s Maternal and Child Health Service and Peninsula Community Legal Service to respond to the growing incidence of family violence in the community. The initiative was designed to provide early intervention to family violence, operating within the Maternal and Child Health Service (MCH) to provide women with legal assistance in an integrated, safe setting. Services provide target mothers and families experiencing family violence, supporting them with legal advice, information, referral, casework, legal representation, and secondary consults.

GEMS aims to assist mothers experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability with legal issues arising out of family violence to improve their own and their children’s safety through access to legal advice and representation. It ensures that mothers receive the emotional and legal support that they need to maximise their safety, with a confidential space to disclose and discuss their situation.

Initiatives that are exceptional and one-off. Projects entered in this category are original and assist the community over and above the council’s day to day activities.

• Clarity of demonstrated outcomes

• Benefits relative to cost

• Innovative and defining features

• Sustainability/transferability

• Ability to meet specific clients/target group needs

• Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Storm Response Team

Storm Green Waste Processing Site

• Merri-bek City Council

Creative Coburg Team

Creative Coburg

• Frankston City Council

Transparency Hub

• Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Traffic and Transport Team

Mornington Peninsula Shire Safer Speeds