Ovens Murray Child & Family Services Alliance

Blue Knot - Managing Wellbeing and Recognising Vicarious Trauma, online
2025-03-21 09:00 - 16:30 UTC
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

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

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Register

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

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

Introduction to Dissociation - Online
2025-03-31 09:30 - 17:00, 2025-04-10 09:00 - 16:30
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

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

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

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

Three Phased Approach: Safety and Stabilisation - online
2025-04-07 09:00 - 16:30
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 - 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: 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

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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

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

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

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Register

OMCFS Alliance presents - RESISTING COLLUSION AND MOTIVATING CHANGE with men who use intimate partner violence, online training
2025-05-01 09:30 - 15:30

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

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

Relationships Australia Victoria - Working with Dads, online workshop
2025-05-14 13:00 - 16:00
Join our interactive online workshop, and gain knowledge, practical advice and strategies to engage dads, father-figures and families in positive and effective ways.
Through collaborative group discussion, you’ll develop strategies for supporting dads in your community and learn skills for creating more dad-friendly programs and services.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this workshop, you’ll be able to:

explain what makes dads important
articulate the 7 different ways to be a dad
discuss dad-focused programs, research and work across Australia
effectively promote programs and services to dads
support dads to create positive family relationships
give examples of ways that dads can maintain work and family balance
create dad-focused services and spaces
demonstrate an understanding of the issues impacting dads who work from home and ways to manage these
plan for future work with dads.

Ideal for
A range of workers in community organisations, social services, schools or businesses who want to better support the needs of fathers.
REGISTER

National HOME STRETCH Symposium 2025
2025-05-15 08:00 - 2025-05-16 17:00
Home Stretch Symposium 2025
With over 5000 young people now benefitting from extended care to 21, this highly
anticipated Symposium will focus on the additional supports needed for young people to
achieve successful transitions from care to adulthood.
It will bring together a diverse range of experts, policy makers, and lived experience advocates, to explore the successes, innovations and further reform to supporting care leavers in Australia.
The event takes place on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 of May, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne.

Register now

OMCFS Alliance presents - Hoarding Home Solutions Workshop
2025-05-15 09:30 - 16:00
presents

Hoarding Home Solutions Full Day workshop
This Full day workshop, presented by professional organisers & hoarding specialist, Angela Esnouf, and Wendy Hanes CPO, CPO-CD, Master Training, is for everyone who works with people who hoard.
You will learn:

The truth about hoarding – what it is, what it’s not, and why it’s important to know
The beliefs that create a hoarding situation
How to work in a Harm Reduction model
4 effective decluttering strategies, and when each is appropriate to use
How to collaborate with others, to achieve the best possible outcome
Other stakeholders to consider
The common risks you will face, and how to work safely

What else is included?

Assessment Tools to help you work efficiently and safely, and communicate well with all stakeholders
Engaging activities to embed the learning
Slide & Resource Packet
Certificates of attendance on request

For more information contact OMAlliance@umfc.com.au

No to Violence - Engaging Dads Using Family Violence
2025-05-15 10:00 - 2025-05-16 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.
Dates: Thursday 15th & Friday 16th May from 10am – 1:00pm
Location: Online
Cost: $369.40 (including GST)
Discounted Price: $299 (including GST)
Register here to gain valuable insights and make a lasting impact.

Blue Knot - Building Trauma Awareness Webinar, online via Zoom
2025-05-16 11:00 - 12:00

FRSA National Conference 2025- Safe, Strong & Thriving
2025-05-19 08:00 - 2025-05-22 17:00
The FRSA National Conference is heralded as a highlight event for the Family and Relationship Services network and is one of the largest annual gatherings of practitioners, academics and policy makers working to support children, families and communities. This ‘not to be missed’ event will feature a number of highly acclaimed keynote presenters, as well as Federal Ministers and sector leaders with a focus on delivering the most effective services to children, families and young people.
As social service organisations we are always at the cutting edge of emerging trends and changes in society – for the FRS sector, especially for vulnerable children, families and communities.
The theme for the FRSA National Conference 2025 is Safe, Strong and Thriving and will be held at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park on 19-22 May 2025.
REGISTER TODAYor
VIEW THE PROGRAM

Annual NDIS Conference
2025-05-20 08:00 - 2025-05-21 17:00
NDIS 2.0 Lets get on with it! DSC are hsoting their annual NDIS Conference – an opportunity to learn, plan and connect with the whole NDIS ecosystem.
Date: Tuesday 20th May, 2025 – Wednesday 21st May, 2025
Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre
View Registration Form >

CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE - Effective Leadership Skills, online workshop
2025-05-21 09:30 - 13:30
Effective Leadership Skills
Designed for staff who have leadership responsibilities of teams in the Community Services sector, or who wish to build their leadership capability, this workshop aims to provide participants with the skills and tools to lead effectively and successfully.
Online, Wednesday 21 May, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. $260 incl. GST

Safe & Together Model CORE Training - 4 day training event
2025-05-26 09:30 - 16:30
More Information/Registration:
https://events.humanitix.com/safe-and-together-model-core-4-day-face-to-face-training-wangaratta-may-2025
Location: Wangaratta Library – 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta
Training Dates: Mon 26th, Thu 29th of May, Mon 2nd and Thu 5th of June 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Questions: fvcst@umfc.com.au
By focusing on four key skills: assessment, interviewing, documentation and case planning our experiential training provides the foundation for domestic
violence-informed practice.
CORE Training explores the importance of:
● Identifying the impact of domestic violence on children and family functioning.
● Fact-based assessment of the perpetrators’ behavior patterns.
● Partnering with adult survivors of domestic violence.
● Intervening with perpetrators.
● How domestic violence intersects with other issues like substance abuse and mental health.
Participants of the CORE Training will:
● Learn to use practice tools, such as Mapping Perpetrators’ Patterns and Multiple Pathways to Harm that can be implemented right away to improve assessment of risk, impact on children, survivor protective efforts and essential case decisions
● Practice interviewing perpetrators, survivors and children through modeling, role play and videos
● Improve their domestic violence-informed documentation through individual and group exercises
● Discuss their own current or past cases and explore how the Safe & Together Model could be implemented

Blue Knot - Wellbeing and Emotional Awareness when working with Complex Trauma Webinar
2025-05-27 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.
Delivered Via Zoom

Learn more
Register

CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE - Effective Supervision Training, Online
2025-05-28 09:30 - 12:30
Effective Supervision Training
Designed for staff who have supervisory responsibilities of teams in the Community Services sector, this workshop aims to provide participants with the skills and tools to run constructive supervision sessions. It focuses on a practice perspective that embeds evidence-informed practices into a non-clinical supervision model.
Online, Wednesday 28 May, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. $260 incl. GST
REGISTER

CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE - Best Interest Case Practice Model Training, Online 2 day training
2025-05-28 09:30 - 13:30
Best Interest Case Practice Model Training – BICPM
This two-day training is dedicated to fostering favourable outcomes for children and their families, through bolstering professional proficiency in family services, child protection, and placement and support services.
Online, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. $450 incl. GST
