Ovens Murray Child & Family Services Alliance

ANROWS Conference 2025 - Listen, learn, act Centring children and young people to end violence
2025-05-14 10:30 - 2025-05-16 16:15 UTC
Event details

Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May: Online only, from 10:30 am–4:15 pm AEST
Friday 16 May: In-person only, at the Aerial Function Centre, Sydney, from 10:00 am–4:15 pm AEST

For enquiries, email conference@anrows.org.au
Read more about the ANROWS Conference 2025

Register now

ADF Prevention in Place Conference 2025
2025-05-06 08:00 - 2025-05-07 17:00
Prevention in Place Conference 2025

The Prevention in Place Conference, dedicated to using place-based approaches to reduce disadvantage and improve wellbeing, will provide a first class, evidence-based learning and networking experience for participants.

The national Prevention in Place Conference spans multiple sectors dedicated to strengthening protective factors for better outcomes, in particular youth services, justice, disability, suicide prevention, mental health and alcohol and other drugs.
Why Attend?
✅ Place-based approaches to address complex social issues
✅ Evidence-based insights
✅ Top-notch professional development
✅ Group & student discounts available
Hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, it will be held May 6-7, 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Program Info and Registrations

OMCFS Alliance presents - RESISTING COLLUSION AND MOTIVATING CHANGE with men who use intimate partner violence, online training
2025-05-01 09:30 - 15:30
Online training workshop
TRAINERS :
Ada Conroy & Kelly Finch
resisting collusion and motivating change with men who use intimate partner violence

This workshop is supported by the OMCFS Alliance
Resisting Collusion & Motivating Change is a full-day online training for practitioners who may come across men who use intimate partner violence in the course of their work, and who are seeking to strengthen their practice, contribute to change, and enhance victim-survivor safety.
Participants who attend this training will be able to:

Explain the causes, mechanisms, and purpose of family violence
Explore perpetrator accountability
Identify core beliefs held by men who use violence
Identify ‘smoke screens’ used to conceal violence
Use invitational approaches to build rapport and enhance reflection
Understand the nature of collusion and how to resist invitations to collude
Examine shame and values
Motivate change and referral readiness
Understand safety planning and referral pathways

This training is MARAM aligned, runs from 9:30am – 3:30pm
Bookings via mclarke@umfc.com.au

Blue Knot - Wellbeing and Emotional Awareness when working with Complex Trauma Webinar
2025-04-24 11:00 - 12:30
This one and a half hour webinar provides information about wellbeing and self-care when working with clients who have Complex Trauma.
$85.00 incl. GST AUD
Delivered via Zoom

Learn more
Register

Blue Knot - Building Foundations: Applying a Trauma Lens to Foster Safety in Relationships
2025-04-23 09:00 - 12:30
This half day (3.5 hours) training offers a deep dive into the core principles of trauma-informed care, focusing on the importance of safety and connection. This training equips professionals with information to understand the profound impact of complex trauma and how to build safe, trusting relationships with those they support. By creating environments grounded in safety and empathy, participants will enhance their ability to connect meaningfully with others.
Online

Wed 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM AEST

$175.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member $157.50 incl. GST AUD

REGISTER

OMCFS Alliance presents - RESISTING COLLUSION AND MOTIVATING CHANGE with men who use intimate partner violence, online workshop
2025-04-22 09:30 - 15:30

Three Phased Approach: Processing and Integration - online
2025-04-16 09:00 - 2025-04-17 16:30
This training is designed for practitioners working in a counselling and/or therapeutic role with complex trauma clients, and utilise clinical assessment, case formulation and treatment/care planning in their daily practice. Phase 2 (Trauma Processing) covers application of strategies for safe work informed by an understanding of traumatic memory and explores Phase 3 (Integration), building your skills to better support your clients to integrate their trauma into their life story.

$700.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $675.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $630.00 incl. GST AUD

Learn more
Register

Introduction to Dissociation - Online
2025-04-10 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-03-31 09:30 - 17:00
This interactive one-day training builds on our clinical training programs which provide the clinical framework of the three phased approach and introduces the concept of dissociation. This training focuses on this specific topic and considers dissociation as a continuum, explores dissociation in everyday life and expands on this to explore complex trauma-related dissociation.

$350.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $330.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $310.00 incl. GST AUD

Learn more
Register

Blue Knot - Navigating Trauma Care: Maintaining Wellbeing While Practicing Compassion and Empathy
2025-04-08 09:00 - 12:30
This half day (3.5hrs) training program equips participants with the tools to foster compassion for others and themselves, navigate the challenges of trauma-informed practice, and build resilience in high-stress environments. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, counsellor, educator, or support worker, this course will help you enhance your empathy while maintaining your wellbeing, so you can continue making a positive impact while mitigating the effects of vicarious trauma.

Virtual Classroom delivered via Zoom

$175.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member $157.50 incl. GST AUD

REGISTER

Three Phased Approach: Safety and Stabilisation - online
2025-04-07 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-03-13 09:30 - 17:00
This interactive training presents best principles for working with complex trauma clients, drawing on current research in trauma theory and therapy, attachment, affective neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology. It explores the importance of a phased approach for complex trauma clients with a primary focus on Phase 1 Safety and Stabilisation.

$350.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $330.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $310.00 incl. GST AUD

Learn more
Register

Blue Knot - Foundations for Building Trauma Awareness, Virtual classroom via Zoom
2025-04-04 09:30 - 17:00
This training utilises current research to provide an understanding of trauma, the impacts of trauma on all aspects of life and subsequently the coping mechanisms formed in response to trauma. The principles of trauma-informed practice are introduced which focus on a strengths-based approach and applicable to all, vital for every person working in health, human, education, disability and legal services, working in government, non-government, public or private sectors

Fri 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM AEDT

$350.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $330.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $310.00 incl. GST AUD

REGISTER

AIFS and Emerging Minds - How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health
2025-04-02 13:00 - 14:00
Presenters: Esther Fidock (The Neuro-Nurture Collective), Emilia Zygocki (Small Hands Occupational Therapy), Jaisen Mahne (Child and Family Partner) and Jacquie Lee (Emerging Minds)
Registration
This World Autism Day join our expert panel as they discuss how you can better support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children (see note).
In Australia, an estimated 3.4% of children (5–14 years) are autistic, while an estimated 5% have ADHD. These diagnoses fall under the umbrella term ‘neurodivergence’ – brain functioning that differs from the current social and cultural norm i.e. ‘neurotypical’ functioning.
Although autism and ADHD are classified as disorders, a growing body of research suggests neurodivergence is simply a natural difference in neurocognitive functioning. Children with autism or ADHD have specific strengths that mean they can outperform ‘neurotypical’ children in certain situations. Despite this, we live in a neurotypical world, with rules, systems and environments that aren’t designed for neurodivergent brains. This can be a difficult and disabling experience for many children.
Research shows that over three-quarters of autistic children and almost half of ADHDers have at least one mental health condition. Given this, it is essential we work to understand and accommodate neurodivergent children’s needs and differences.
This webinar will explore how you can use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to better support the mental health and wellbeing of autistic and ADHDer children.
This webinar will help you:

apply a neurodivergent-affirming lens to your work with children and families
understand the impact that neurotypical societies and systems have on neurodivergent children’s mental health
adapt and apply neurodivergent-affirming practice strategies to suit your context
better support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children and their families.

This webinar will be of interest to practitioners who work with autistic and ADHDer children and their families in a broad range of settings including child and adolescent mental health services, disability services, non-government organisations, primary health and schools. It may be especially helpful for early career professionals and those who have limited experience working with neurodivergent clients.
This webinar is co-produced by CFCA at the Australian Institute of Family Studies and Emerging Minds in a series focusing on children’s mental health. They are working together as part of the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.
Note: This promotional material uses identity-first (e.g. autistic children, ADHDer children) rather than person-first language (children with ADHD). Person-first language places a person’s identity before their disability and is commonly used in Australia. However, many autistic and neurodivergent people have voiced strong preferences for identity-first language because they feel that their neurodivergence is a core part of their identity. Individuals have the right to decide how they are described and the terms used in this promotion are not used by all people.
Date & time: Wednesday 2 April 2025, 1:00 – 2:00PM (AEDT). Find your time zone.
Registration

OMCFS Alliance presents - RESISTING COLLUSION AND MOTIVATING CHANGE working with men who use intimate partner violence, online training
2025-04-22 09:30

THE Gentle ART OF LEADERSHIP
2025-03-27 04:30 - 18:00
Discover the powerful qualities that define truly great leaders
Based on analysis, interviews and literature review, Brian Donovan and Dean Phelan found that great leaders consistently practise a gentle art of leadership. They have a powerful mixture of personal humility, integrity and indomitable will for forwarding the health, success and long-term prosperity of their organisation and people. They seem to get the best out of others by genuinely treating them with dignity and respect, while focused on strategic outcomes.
Join Dean Phelan, with a virtual appearance by co-author Brian Donovan, at a special event hosted by Gateway Health where they will highlight key findings and learnings from their recently released book, The Gentle Art of Leadership.
When: Thursday, March 27 at 4.30pm
Where: Gateway Health, 155 High St, Wodonga
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential.
BOOK YOUR SPOT HERE

Complex Needs Conference March 2025
2025-03-26 08:00 - 2025-03-27 17:00 | Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Making it work. Overcoming barriers and simplifying support for people with complex needs
The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) and ermha365 (Mental Health Disability Complex Service) are hosting the Complex Needs Conference 2025, funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
The conference will provide a platform to share ideas, forge partnerships and develop new approaches to supporting people with complex needs. Whether you are a practitioner, researcher, policy maker or someone with lived experience, we are united by a shared goal.
Join us across the 2 days to explore:

Bridging gaps in community safety and service provision
Enhancing mental health and housing outcomes
Overcoming stigma and the power of transformative relationships with providers
Barriers to accessing support
Personal journeys to recovery
The important role of peer, family and community support and advocacy
Culturally relevant care; and
Fostering stronger community connections for people facing challenging times.

Together, we can inspire, inform and drive better practices to deliver coordinated care and improve the lives of people experiencing:

Mental health challenges
Harmful substance use
Behaviour that can lead to risk to self and others
Homelessness
Trauma; and
Disability.

Your participation is vital in driving change and enhancing support systems for those who need it most.
The Complex Needs Conference will take place from 26 – 27 March 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
The conference will provide a platform to share ideas, forge partnerships and develop new approaches in the field.
Get your ticket

Blue Knot - Building Trauma Awareness Webinar - online
2025-03-24 11:00 - 12:00
This one hour didactic webinar provides foundational knowledge in the area of Complex Trauma. This webinar is aimed at a diverse range of roles and focused on understanding trauma.
$70.00 incl. GST AUD

Learn more
Register

Blue Knot - Managing Wellbeing and Recognising Vicarious Trauma, online
2025-03-21 09:00 - 16:30
This training program explores the nature, dynamics and risks of vicarious trauma and supports you to stay healthy and safe in your work. This training, informed by current research, will provide you with the knowledge, skills and tools to better recognise the early signs of various stress outcomes. It offers a range of organisational, interpersonal and personal strategies to address the risks of Vicarious Trauma and its impacts, and foster possibilities for post-traumatic growth and vicarious resilience.

$350.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $330.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $310.00 incl. GST AUD

Register

Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare - AVITH in Context: A national approach to working with young people using violence in the home
2025-03-20 14:00 - 15:00
Online
Across Australia there are growing numbers of programs and services offering dedicated program support for young people using violence against their parents, carers and/or siblings. Despite each state and territory operating in slightly different legislative and service delivery contexts, there are many commonalities in our practice approaches.
In this session we speak with professionals from dedicated service programs in South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania who will describe the theory of their program design and what they’ve learned along the way as they’ve been implementing the program. We want to kickstart a national conversation about how we respond to this cohort of young people.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE

No to Violence, Enhanced - The Five Essential Discussion Tools
2025-03-20 10:00 - 13:00
For practitioners who have engaged with the Five Essential Discussion Tools before, this enhanced package will refresh knowledge and introduce new topics and practice considerations.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
For more information, dates, and to register, click here.

By Sector Connect - Through Children's Eyes: Changing the Family & Domestic Violence Story
2025-03-20 09:00 - 17:00 | The Cube 20-22 Camden Road Campbelltown NSW 2650
Bringing stakeholders together to focus on putting children at the centre to improve the lives of future generations.
About this event
A groundbreaking national conference that will make life changing impact .
Register now and join us for this one day conference, highlighting the need for Child-Centred approaches for children impacted by family and domestic violence (FDV).
Sector Connect is proud to present this groundbreaking and crucial event for Health Professionals, Frontline Workers, and other Stakeholders. This inaugural conference will focus on the importance of early childhood intervention, as outlined in the Australian Government’s Early Years Strategy 2024-2034 and NSW Health’s ‘First 2000 Days Framework’, and how to make systemic change.
For too long, children have been invisible, often considered not affected by FDV, yet the research indicates a high % of those impacted grow up to be victims or offenders themselves.
Current child protection frameworks have failed the children, with the evidence showing that early intervention and prevention with the child is the only way to reduce violence.
With a range of keynotes, panel discussions, case studies and deep dive breakouts, this conference will detail the importance of trauma-informed and effective programs aimed at children and critically, initiate discussions on what is needed to address the needs of vulnerable children and make systemic change to break the cycle of violence.
Speakers

Jelena Dokic (MC)
Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur (Patron)
Jess Hill, Journalist, Author and Educator
Go to webpage for complete speaker list & program: Https://www.sectorconnect.org.au/tce

Who Should Attend

Health Professionals
Frontline workers
Legal sector
Social and case workers
Educators
Policymakers
NFP service providers
Other Stakeholders
*From any Region, State, Territory or Country

Why You Should Attend

Learn about national and international programs that are making change
Be part of the conversation and solution to make systemic change
Network and collaborate with other sector professionals

To find out more about the conference, visit: https://www.sectorconnect.org.au/tce
Get tickets

No To Violence - Engaging Dads Using Family Violence
2025-03-19 10:00 - 2025-03-20 13:00
This package challenges the common practice of placing responsibility on victim-survivors. Backed by current evidence, this training highlights the gendered drivers of men’s violence against women and shifts the focus to perpetrator accountability.
Location: Online
Cost: $369.40 (including GST)
Discounted Price: $299 (including GST)
Register here to gain valuable insights and make a lasting impact.

No to Violence - The Five Essential Discussion Tools
2025-03-19 10:00 - 13:00
The original ‘The Five Essential Discussion Tools’ training package has been revised and refreshed. Perfect for practitioners who are new to working with men using family violence or those who have not explored de-escalation techniques in their work, this training explores the Five Essential Discussion Tools whilst applying an intersectional lens.
Wednesday 19 March from 10am – 1:00pm
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
For more information, dates, and to register, click here.

Blue Knot - Trauma Sensitive Practice - Working with Complex Trauma, online
2025-03-19 09:00 - 16:30
This training program utilises current research to provide an understanding of trauma, the impacts of trauma and the neurobiological responses that occur. It builds an understanding of the key features of complex trauma that can present in our working relationships and the resourcing and regulation that can support in practice. This program is for those who have some level of trauma awareness and seek to build on their knowledge and continue to embed the trauma informed principles within practice.

Wed 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM AEDT

$350.00 incl. GST AUD
Group Booking (3 or more people) Per Person Rate $330.00 incl. GST AUD
Blue Knot Professional Member Discount $310.00 incl. GST AUD

Register

Prevention in Practice - Online via Zoom, 2 day event
2025-03-18 10:00 - 16:00
📅 18 + 25 March 2025
⏲️ 10am to 4pm
🗺️ Online via Zoom
🎫 AUD $425
👉 Register here
Safe and Equal’s Prevention in Practice training supports practitioners at any stage of their careers to strengthen their shared understanding, connect with other practitioners and bolster their professional toolkits with the resources, tools and frameworks to mobilise communities and workplaces for change.

Relationships Australia Victoria- Supervision Training, online workshop
2025-03-18 09:30 - 12:30
Learn how to provide clinical supervision to support the practitioners in your workplace. Clinical supervision facilitates continuous learning and development for practitioners. It allows supervisees to reflect on their practice, gain new insights, and develop their skills and knowledge. By becoming a clinical supervisor you can encourage ongoing professional growth in your team, which is essential for maintaining competence and advancing in their careers.
In this interactive workshop you’ll learn practical strategies for conducting effective clinical supervision in a workplace setting.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this workshop, you’ll be able to:

support staff to enhance their skills, competence and confidence.

create a reflective space and emotional support.

provide staff assistance with professional development

deliver guidance on delivering services to clients in a safe and ethical manner

provide staff with information about compliance with professional and organisational treatment standards and ethics and legal issues in practice.

Ideal for
Anyone leading teams or managing clinical and client facing staff in the workplace.
Registration information

When you register, you’ll be taken to our payment gateway to complete your registration. A new account will be automatically created for you in our Learning Management System (Moodle).

Registrations for scheduled workshops close 48 hours before the event.

Workshops must be paid for at least 2 business days before the training date, or your registration will be cancelled.

If paying by invoice, proof of payment needs to be provided at least 24 hours ahead of the event.

REGISTER

2025 Asia Pacific Region - Coercive Control & Children
2025-03-18 08:00 - 2025-03-20 18:00
REGISTER

No to Violence - The Five Essential Discussion Tools
2025-03-14 10:00 - 13:00
The original ‘The Five Essential Discussion Tools’ training package has been revised and refreshed. Perfect for practitioners who are new to working with men using family violence or those who have not explored de-escalation techniques in their work, this training explores the Five Essential Discussion Tools whilst applying an intersectional lens.
For more information, dates, and to register, click here.
Location: Online
Cost: FREE

Organisational Resistance - Online via Zoom
2025-03-12 09:30 - 15:30
This interactive one-day training is designed to advance practitioners’ understanding and application of strategies and tools to build organisational support and commitment for social change addressing the drivers of family and gender-based violence, and proactively plan for and manage institutional resistance to this change.
🎫 AUD $280
👉 Register here
