79 Langhorne Street, Dandenong, VIC 3175 administration@wellspringsforwomen.com (03) 9701 3740

Women’s Support Program

Introduction

The Women’s Support Program (WSP) provides a tailored and specialist family violence service that is responsive to the needs of women from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.

On 19 April 2021, Wellsprings for Women became prescribed under the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) and The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM).  Wellsprings for women is one of very few agencies which support women who are experiencing family violence and remaining in the relationship. The support provided is offered for as long as the client needs it. The Women’s Support Program is funded by Family Safety Victoria and we are also pleased to receive funding from Paul Ramsay Foundation for two years (2023-2025) to fund a Housing Support Practitioner for women impacted by family violence needing housing assistance.

Principles

Women come to Wellsprings to access a range of programs and services. They gradually develop trust and rapport with Wellsprings staff, and as they feel safe, they  disclose personal information about their circumstances which include among other factors, family violence.  WSP is therefore embedded across all our programs. It is underpinned by human rights and informed by the following principles:

  • Culturally responsive
  • Intersectional
  • Client-centred
  • Strengths-based
  • Trauma-informed

WSP Service Model

Following identification of family violence  by a participant at Wellsprings, an internal referral is made to the WSP.  The service model that ensues is illustrated as follows:

Entry Point

Engagement with a client who has  either been (internally or externally) referred to WSP  or disclosed directly to Wellsprings staff 

Intake Assessment

Wellsprings Intake worker conducts a risk assessment using the MARAM risk assessment tool

Safety Planning

A safety plan is developed that involves the woman looking at her unique situation and assesses what she might need to help her feel safe. It incorporates practical strategies for improving the woman’ s home and personal security and allows the woman to put steps in place to help keep her and her children safe.

Case Management

Following intake and assessment, the client is allocated a case worker to provide ongoing support to her to resolve and address the multiple issues she faces and until such time as she is able to move forward independently.

Social and Emotional Support

The WSP provides emotional support to women experiencing family violence. This may involve: contacting victim-survivors to   listen to regularly with respect, empathise without judgement,  review safety measures, offer ongoing support and connections with other programs and services based on needs.

Information and Learning

The WSP works with women to raise their awareness about their rights, inform them of the options they have, the programs they can access to build their confidence, skills and capabilities, and to minimise the barriers they face which impact on their decisions to stay or leave. The Women Support Team (WST) informs the women of the range of programs offered at Wellsprings as well as elsewhere which can assist them  to move forward and gain more control over their lives.

Support Process and External Referral

The WSP refers women to other services they require and continues to support them while they access other services. The services would include; legal, migration advice, mental health support, housing support, or family violence specialised services.

Practical and Material Aid Support

Following assessment of women’s needs and circumstances, the WST provides assistance with material aid, emergency relief and other practical supports such as assisting women with attending appointments , communicating with other services, and/or applying for government funded services.

Accreditation

Wellsprings Women’s Support Program is QIP Accredited to the Human Services Standards and the QIC Health and Community Services Standards 7th edition (10 August 2022-10 August 2025)

Further Information and Referrals

For further information please email: wst@wellspringsforwomen.com or to make a referral please download the referral form here and email to WST: Referral to Women’s Support Team

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