Family Safety Framework

The Family Safety Framework (FSF) is part of the Northern Territory (NT) Government’s ongoing commitment to respond to victim survivors at serious and imminent risk of DFV.

The FSF provides an action-based integrated service response to victim survivors of DFV who are at serious and imminent risk of injury or death.

The FSF operates in alignment with the NT DFV Risk Assessment and Management Framework and the RAMF’s Common Risk Assessment Tool, which are used to refer to the FSF.

FSF meetings operate in:

• Alice Springs
• Darwin
• Wadeye
• Tennant Creek
• Katherine
• Nhulunbuy
• Yuendumu.

The operational lead of the FSF is the NT Police, and the policy lead is the Department of Children and Families.

The Family Safety Framework Operational Guidelines PDF (1.2 MB) outline how the FSF operates in the NT and the roles and responsibilities of members who attend family safety meetings on behalf of their organisations and clients.

The FSF was introduced in Alice Springs in July 2012 as part of an Integrated Response to Family and Domestic Violence Project PDF (17.4 MB), established with assistance from the NT and Australian governments.

The FSF was expanded to Katherine, Tennant Creek, Darwin and Yuendumu in 2015 and Nhulunbuy in 2016.

The Family Safety Framework PDF (449.8 KB) was reviewed in 2016-17.

Family Safety Framework videos

The FSF induction videos have been developed to strengthen a consistent onboarding processes and practice across all FSF locations, by providing a standardised introduction for members and representatives attending Family Safety Meetings.

Family Safety Framework induction video

The FSF Induction Video is for everyone who participates in the FSF as members or representatives. It covers:

• the purpose of the FSF
• who is part of the FSF and their different responsibilities
• What happens before, during and after Family Safety Meetings
• where you can get support
• If you are an FSF representative or proxy you need to complete this induction prior to attending your first Family Safety Meeting. It must be signed off on your induction checklist by the FSF Chair.

Family Safety Meeting video

The Family Safety Meeting video demonstrates how a Family Safety Meeting operates.

This example shows an in-person meeting. Some locations offer online attendance. The meeting follows a structured agenda to coordinate risk assessment and management.

The Family Safety Meeting reviews new referrals using the Common Risk Assessment Tool, or CRAT, that meet the overall threshold of serious and imminent risk, as well as active, transferred and suspended cases.

Family Safety Framework contacts

Find contact information for FSF services in each region in the table below.

For general queries email fsfenquiries@pfes.nt.gov.au.