The Family Violence Learning Series is an interactive and evolving professional development program designed to strengthen trauma-responsive and evidence-informed practice across the service sector. Four webinars were presented by thought leaders and experienced practitioners at the Foundation in 2023. Now compiled into an on-demand program, the series supports practitioners across family violence, counselling, education, health, accommodation, and mental health services to deepen their understanding of the impacts of family violence on children and young people.

There are four self-paced modules that form this online course, with each module taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete.

1. Children and their experience of family violence
2. Coercive control and its impact on children
3. Working with fathers who engage in violent behaviour
4. Storytelling as a tool to heal from family violence

Each session builds on current research, practice wisdom and lived experience insights, offering practical tools and reflective learning opportunities to enhance safety, recovery, and wellbeing outcomes for those affected by family violence.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for:

• Counsellors and therapeutic specialists
• Child and family service workers
• Accommodation and community service providers
• Leaders seeking to strengthen trauma-responsive systems

What will I learn?

In this course, you will:

• Understand children’s experiences of family violence: Explore how children experience, interpret and are shaped by family violence, including impacts on safety, attachment and development.
• Examine coercive control and its impact on children: Identify patterns of coercive control and analyse how these dynamics affect children’s wellbeing, sense of agency and relational safety.
• Strengthen practice when working with fathers who use violence: Apply accountable, child-focused approaches to engaging fathers while maintaining a clear focus on safety and responsibility.
• Use storytelling as a tool for healing: Recognise the role of narrative, voice and meaning making in supporting recovery and post-traumatic growth.

Register below to become part of a community making an extraordinary impact in the lives of children and young people.