In this heavy but essential episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey confront the "national crisis" of domestic violence and the predictable patterns that lead to intimate partner homicide. Moving beyond media narratives that describe these tragedies as "senseless" or "out of nowhere," this discussion utilizes research from 2024–2026 to map out the "Path to Lethality."

We dive deep into criminologist Jane Monckton Smith’s 8-stage homicide timeline, exploring how a relationship moves from "fast-tracked" romance to coercive control, and ultimately to the terminal stage of homicide.

The episode also addresses the terrifying surge in filicide, examining why 1 in 4 domestic murder victims in NSW are now children and identifying the "proxy" motives and systemic failures that leave families at risk. Finally, we look at the economics of prevention, discussing the $45 billion annual burden of child maltreatment on the Australian economy and the urgent need to shift funding from crisis response to early, proactive intervention.

⚠️ Trigger Warning

Today’s episode involves detailed discussions of domestic violence, intimate partner homicide, and the death of children. This content is deeply distressing, but we believe that understanding the mechanics of this violence is the first step toward stopping it.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues discussed, please reach out for support:

• Australia: Call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• Singapore: Call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) at 1800-777-0000 or the AWARE Women's Helpline at 1800-777-5555.
• USA: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).
• UK: Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247.

Please find the crisis domestic violence support number in your area.

Connect with us:

• Email: Relationalpractice01@gmail.com
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Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, hosts Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey dive into the complex world of supervised birth family contact. Moving beyond the idea that supervision is a passive task, this discussion explores the high-stakes clinical skills required to protect a child’s emotional and psychological well-being during family visits.

Drawing on research and listener feedback, Jodie and Rose break down the essential "Supervisor’s Toolkit" and provide actionable insights for decision-makers.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Nuance of Contact: Why contact can be a tool for healing, helping children resolve grief and strengthen attachments or a trigger for trauma and placement instability if managed poorly.
• The Supervisor’s Toolkit: Essential skills including trauma-informed observation, parent coaching, and maintaining clinical neutrality.
• Invisible Risk Management: Training supervisors to spot subtle emotional abuse, such as grooming behaviours, that untrained observers might miss.
• Planning for Decision-Makers: Why case managers and judges must define the "Why" of contact (reunification/restoration vs. identity-building) and account for the “Contact Hangover”, the behavioural fallout a child experiences after a visit.
• Quality Over Quantity: Understanding why poor-quality contact can be more damaging than no contact at all.

Connect with Relational Practice: We love hearing from our community! Please send your practice stories, questions, or comments to relationalpractice01@gmail.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our new YouTube page for regular content updates.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

What happens to parenting when the "private" family unit becomes a "public" system? In this episode, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey explore the "Glass House" of foster care, a space where personal lives are visible to the state and parental autonomy is reshaped by systemic oversight.

We’re moving beyond the media debate to discuss what it really means to be a Public Parent. To succeed, foster carers must embrace a hybrid identity that balances the intimacy of private parenting with the weight of public accountability.

We break down the core tensions that define the foster care experience:

1. The Surveillance Paradox: Carers are expected to provide a "normal" family life while their every move is monitored by caseworkers and courts.
2. Systemic Transparency: A realistic view of the role means acknowledging that "private" life is no longer private; carers must open their homes, bank statements, and medical records to the state.
3. Shared Authority: We discuss the "Privacy Tug-of-War," where carers have the daily responsibility of a parent but lack the legal authority to make simple decisions—like haircuts or vacations—without system approval.
4. Professionalism vs. Passion: Carers must be both professional caregivers and emotional anchors, loving a child like their own while navigating the reality of being a "temporary placement".

How do we make the "Glass House" feel like a home? It starts with clear, grounded expectations that bridge the gap between birth families, carers, and the system.

1. Information as Power: Shared parenting thrives when information flows freely, including the "little things" like a funny comment or a new food the child liked that keep birth parents included.
2. Defining the Role: It is vital to move past binary labels of "saints" or "people doing it for the money" and instead embrace the messy, human reality of public parenting.
3. Prioritizing Dignity: The ultimate goal of a public parent is to ensure the system’s visibility does not strip away the child’s private dignity.
4. Collaborative Decision-Making: We explore how to empower adults to make decisions together, rather than letting the system decide for them.

Join us as we discuss how to navigate the boundaries of the system while keeping the heart of parenting private.

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Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone