For professionals

Find out about what we do, who we support, how to refer clients, information sharing and secondary consultations.

On this page

The Orange Door is a free intake and assessment service.

We help:

  • individuals and families experiencing family violence
  • adults using family violence
  • young people using violence in the home
  • children or young people whose wellbeing or development is affected by parenting problems
  • young, isolated or unsupported families
  • families experiencing significant disadvantage that may adversely impact their children’s wellbeing or development.

The Orange Door works with all types of families and can tailor our help and support to meet the diverse needs of different families.

What we do

Our functions include:

  • initial contact and support
  • screening, identification and triage
  • crisis response
  • family violence risk assessment
  • child wellbeing assessment
  • safety planning
  • service planning and referrals
  • secondary consultations.

Allocating to core services

We allocate to the following organisations:

  • Aboriginal services
  • Integrated Family Services
  • Adolescent Using Violence in the Home
  • Victim Survivor Case Management
  • Adult using Family Violence Case Management
  • Men’s Behaviour Change Program.

Referrals to other services

The Orange Door helps people navigate and connect with the broader services they may need.

Crisis response

The Orange Door does not replace emergency services or Child Protection for people or children at immediate risk.

We arrange short-term practical help for immediate safety and wellbeing issues. We also connect people to longer-term services.

We:

  • assess ways to help people who have concerns about safely escaping family violence
  • arrange tech sweeps and small-scale home security interventions so that victim survivors are safe in their homes. This includes lock changes and window repairs
  • help people to develop safety plans
  • connect people to housing services
  • assess options for financial support to relocate and purchase essentials, including access to the Escaping Violence Payment scheme
  • refer people to legal, financial and counselling services
  • connect people to longer term services. This includes Aboriginal services, case management for victim survivors, and family services
  • connect adults using family violence to programs such as:
    • men’s behaviour change programs
    • positive parenting programs
    • case management.

For after-hours responses, go to statewide after-hours support.

Referring someone to The Orange Door

Before you refer someone to us, please talk to them about your plans. Talking to them may help them to accept our support. It also lets them know we could be in contact.

You can refer someone you are working with by contacting The Orange Door nearest to them. We will then be able to advise you on the next steps to support a referral.

Individuals or families do not need referrals to access The Orange Door. They can make direct contact by attending, calling or emailing their local Orange Door.

To find our locations, visit support near you.

Secondary consultations

The Orange Door provides secondary consultations for service sector professionals.

We can consult and discuss next steps with you regarding:

  • whether a referral to The Orange Door is appropriate
  • what support services are available
  • how to support families experiencing family violence or struggling with the care, wellbeing and development of a child
  • whether a report to Child Protection is needed or if concerns can be managed without statutory involvement.

The Orange Door must determine if all secondary consultations meet the information sharing and risk management requirements set out in the:

  • Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme
  • Child Information Sharing Scheme
  • Children Youth and Families Act 2005
  • other relevant laws.

Information sharing

The Orange Door is a:

  • risk assessment entity and information sharing entity under the:
    • Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme
    • Child Information Sharing Scheme.
  • registered community-based child and family service under the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 (the Act).

Under these schemes and the Act, you can:

  • share information with us to identify, assess and manage family violence risk
  • seek advice, ask for and share information about a child or young person and their family when you are concerned about their wellbeing, safety, stability and development.

Under these schemes and the Act, we may collect or disclose confidential information. We would do this with the client’s consent or to lessen a serious threat to a person’s safety or wellbeing.

There are thresholds and requirements that apply to collecting or disclosing information.

We must:

  • be satisfied that there is a valid basis for sharing information
  • use professional judgement and discretion to ensure information is appropriately collected or disclosed. For example, when deciding what information is relevant to share.
  • Consider clients' interests and expectations. For example, we may ask you to let a client know you have shared their information.
  • keep records of what has been discussed and any actions taken.

To view more about information sharing schemes, the MARAM Framework and the Central Information Point, visit Information sharing and MARAM reforms.

For more information about how data is collected and used, visit privacy.

Updated

Back to top