Contents: Acronyms -- Executive summary -- Introduction -- General findings -- FVIP training -- FVIP resources -- Roles of Work and Income staff in the FVIP -- Service providers and the FVIP -- Other considerations -- Conclusions and FVIP enhancements -- Appendix 1 Evaluation methods -- Appendix 2 FVIP posters -- References

This report presents the findings of a formative evaluation of the Family Violence Intervention Programme initiated in the Auckland, East Cape, and Canterbury Work and Income regions of New Zealand in 2005. (A programme intended to promote the ongoing safety of Work and Income clients and their families through providing information, referral to services, and income support. In addition, Family Violence response co-ordinators were appointed to support Work and Income case managers and to liaise with service providers.)The evaluation aimed to provide feedback for improvement prior to expansion of the programme. Data was drawn from interviews and focus groups with key informants, document analysis, programme training evaluation forms, observation of case manager and Family Violence Response Co-ordinator training. The evaluation found that the programme was supported by stakeholders, and relationships between Work and Income and family violence service providers had been improved by the programme; Work and Income case managers needed more clarity about their roles in the programme, and changes to resources and training would maximise the potential of the programme. The author concluded that the programme warranted continuation, and that sustaining it would require: ongoing training and support for case managers including new staff, incentives for case mangers to participate in the programme, and maintaining relationships locally and nationally with family violence service providers.

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