Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services Program

How does the program help?

The Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services (IDFVS) program is an integrated and coordinated response program that promotes flexible, local place based and client-focussed services to address domestic and family violence among high-risk groups and priority communities. The program’s central principle is that DFV is a multi-faceted and complex issue and there is no single solution or agency that can resolve it alone. IDFVS programs can offer support to victim-survivors while they are remaining in the relationship, with the goal of increasing safety for all victim-survivors and reducing risk.

The core service provided through the IDFVS program is integrated case management. This is a response to family violence that goes beyond the coordination of policies, systems and information-sharing to the provision of case management services within a unified and multi- agency service structure. Case managers work with the victim-survivor to assess needs and risk, planning service delivery and supporting their progress. Case managers have access to brokerage funds for purchase of services from other service providers, where necessary.

The types of support provided include:

• Risk and needs assessment, safety planning and provision of direct support
• Developing and managing a personalised case plan
• Hands on support and advocacy
• Address practical and emotional impacts of trauma
• Service navigation and coordination
• Refer on and connect with other service providers

Who does the program help?

The broad client group for IDFVS is any adult female (or those identifying as female) victim-survivor of domestic and family violence, and their children. The program works with both victim-survivors who have left a relationship and those who remain, focusing on maximising family safety. Where a victim-survivor has children under their care, the service response must consider the impacts of the DFV on children and young people and either provide direct services or develop a strategy to address the children’s needs.

IDFVS programs may also provide services to the person using violence or control, whether through information and referral (including to Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, drug and alcohol support services or healing programs) or through targeted use of brokerage to achieve increased safety.

Some of the priority groups for the program include: 

• DFV victim-survivors affected by socio-economic disadvantage
• DFV victim-survivors affected by social exclusion (or from rural/remote communities)
• DFV victim-survivors from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background
• DFV victim-survivors from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (including refugees, migrants and/or asylum-seekers)
• DFV victim-survivors who have a disability and those who are caring for a child with a disability
• DFV victim-survivors who have previously accessed DFV services
• DFV victim-survivors who previously refused services

Program Locations

The program operates out of the following 17 locations: 

IDFVS Program Specifications

An evaluation of IDFVS (PDF, 1.1 MB)  completed in 2018 by The Social Policy Research Centre and Gendered Violence Research Network, UNSW Sydney found that IDFVS workers' expertise and knowledge of DFV meant that client's needs were better understood, clients felt listened to and understood and clients were appropriately connected with local services.

The Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services program specifications (PDF, 443.4 KB) were reviewed and updated to support a whole of family safety response as recommended in the program's formal evaluation. The review and updated specifications were informed by consultation with the DFV sector and peak bodies. The program specifications have been updated to reflect current good practice, key legislative changes and to align with the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027.

The IDFVS program takes a gendered view of DFV and draws on systems theory and positioning the program as part of a broader systems response, alongside relevant government and non-government agencies to reduce DFV. It is a person centred and trauma informed case management model promoting victim-survivor choice and safety.

Key inclusions in the IDFVS Program Specifications, including:

• Increased focus on working with the whole of family, including children as clients and providing referrals and support to the person using violence
• Aboriginal healing models and practices
• Service responses to multi-perpetrator violence and misidentification
• Working more collaboratively with men’s behaviour change programs (MBCP)
• Partnering with multicultural or Aboriginal services to provide effective and culturally responsive support
• Inclusion of a training matrix to support services identifying areas of need in DFV specialist practice.

Program Expansion 2025

In the 2024/25 Budget, the NSW Government committed to provide an additional $245.6 million over four years as part of an emergency package to enhance support for domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV) victim-survivors and expand programs that reduce the rate of violence against women and children. Details of the measures included can be found here.

$48 million of this funding was committed to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program state-wide, to increase the number of Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services (IDFVS) and develop Aboriginal led, place based family violence responses.

There are 11 existing IDFVS services across NSW delivering critical integrated and holistic services for families experiencing DFV. A further 6 services will be funded through this new investment and will be delivered in the following locations.

• New England - Inverell and Glen Innes LGAs
• Hunter - Maitland and Cessnock
• Murrumbidgee - Hilltops and Cootamundra-Gundagai
• Northern - Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle LGAs 
• Western - Warrumbungle LGA
• Far West - Broken Hill and Central Darling LGAs

Useful Resources

Other DFV Services 

• Housing assistance for domestic and family violence
• Staying Home Leaving Violence
• Safer Pathways
• Specialist Workers for Children and Young People program
• Victims Support Scheme
• Immediate Needs Support Package
• Leaving Violence Program (DSS)

Community resources:

• Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Support and Initiatives
• Resources for Aboriginal communities
• NSW Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety (SSI)
• Resources for Multicultural communities

Understanding domestic and family violence:

• Domestic, family and sexual violence plans and strategies
• How to safely support someone experiencing domestic violence
• Facts about domestic and family violence
• Coercive control
• Domestic violence and technology facilitated abuse