Digging Deeper: risk assessment and family support work
A specialised workshop for Queensland family support practitioners

Risk assessment sits at the heart of effective work with vulnerable children and families—yet many family support practitioners still feel uncertain about the core concepts, processes, and practical application of this critical skill in their practice. The work is complex, the stakes are high, and the responsibility to “get it right” can feel immense.

Developed and delivered by Chris?Maree Sultmann, who brings more than 25 years of specialist training experience in this area, this research?informed workshop is designed specifically for Queensland family support practitioners wanting to maintain currency and confidence in their practice.

Across the day, we explore the foundations of high?quality risk assessment unpacking central concepts and building knowledge about core processes and skills in practice. Participants will look at how to partner with families in identifying risk and building safety for children and young people.

This workshop goes beyond the basics—it ‘digs deeper’ into the thinking, skills, and practical tools that underpin
sound risk assessment in family support.

Who should attend?

Practitioners, supervisors and managers from Intensive Family Support services, Assessment and Service Connect programs, Family and Child Connect services, Family Wellbeing Services, Family Participation Programs, Delegated Authority and any practitioners from across the health, domestic and family violence, education and community sectors who have a direct role in family support with vulnerable children and families or who supervise and guide others in this.

A research-informed workshop to support a contemporary approach to work with kin.

Research and policy are clear: whenever possible, children living away from home need to be cared for by kin. Careby kin offers children connection, culture, continuity, and a deep sense of belonging. At the same time, it can bring some unique complexities. Family dynamics, questions about capacity and the impacts of intergenerational trauma can all influence care by kin unfolds.

Developed and delivered by Chris-Maree Sultmann who has trained extensively across in this field for many years, this workshop draws on current research and contemporary thinking to support practitioners in strengthening their understandings of care by kin. Participants examine what it truly means to view care by kin as family supporting family – and what this perspective means for practice.

Throughout the workshop, participants deepen their understanding of both the opportunities and challenges that come with care by kin. They will review research evidence to myth-bust common assumptions, explore the complexities that can arise in assessment and support work with kin, and consider how to build their approach to partnering with families to promote the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

The focus is on equipping practitioners to support safe, responsive and sustainable care by kin.

Who should attend?

Any practitioner involved in assessing, supporting and working with foster carers and kin, their
supervisors and managers.

A practical, interactive workshop for supervisors in child, youth and family services

Many professionals step into supervisory roles having learned “on the job,” relying largely on their own experiences of being supervised. While this lived experience is valuable, most supervisors tell us they want more—more clarity, more structure, and more confidence in how to guide and support others.

One of our most popular workshops, this interactive training gives supervisors the knowledge, tools and frameworks they need to strengthen their practice. Participants explore contemporary supervision models, principles, and core processes, and learn how to build their own purposeful, effective approach to supervision with individual staff, teams, or groups.

Delivered by highly experienced professionals who have been providing supervision and training others in this field for more than 25 years, this workshop is ideal for new supervisors as well as those with up to five years of experience in a supervisory role, who are looking to refine and polish their supervision practice.

Who should attend?

Professionals across the government and non-government child, youth and family sectors who are new to their supervisory role, as well as those in their first five years of being a supervisor and those interested in taking on a supervisory role in the near future.