Strengthening Practice. Supporting Safer Communities.
Common Thread Practice is a specialist domestic and family violence practice development consultancy. We support organisations to strengthen workforce capability through evidence-informed training, consultation, reflective practice and implementation support.
Behind Common Thread
Meet the Founder, Shardi Rees
Common Thread Practice was established from a simple belief: the way we understand domestic and family violence shapes the way we respond to it.
I'm Shardi Rees, a domestic and family violence practitioner, Certified Safe & Together Trainer and workforce development specialist with more than fifteen years' experience working alongside children, families and communities. I live and raise my children on the unceded lands of the Walbunja people of Yuin Country on the NSW South Coast.
Throughout my career, I have worked across residential care, child and family services, infant mental health, domestic and family violence, workforce development and practice leadership. Along the way, I have seen the profound impact that understanding can have on the lives of children and adult victim survivors, and the harm that can occur when violence is misunderstood, minimised or responded to in fragmented ways.
Over time, I became increasingly interested in a question:
Why, despite decades of effort, does domestic and family violence remain so prevalent?
I believe part of the answer lies in recognising that domestic and family violence does not occur in isolation. It is shaped by broader social, cultural and systemic conditions that influence how we understand power, gender, relationships, responsibility and safety. The responses children and families receive are often shaped not only by individual practitioners, but also by organisational culture, leadership, systems, policies and community attitudes.
Common Thread Practice was created from a belief that meaningful and sustainable change requires more than knowledge alone. While training is important, lasting change is strengthened through reflection, leadership, collaboration, accountability and ongoing practice development.
My work is grounded in children's rights, social justice, accountability and collective responsibility. I am particularly interested in how domestic and family violence is understood across communities, organisations and systems, and how shifts in culture, leadership and practice can contribute to safer, more connected and more accountable responses.
Both my professional and lived experience have shaped this work and continue to inform my commitment to creating communities where children and adult victim survivors are more likely to be met with understanding than judgement, where responsibility for violence remains with those who choose to use it, and where children, families and communities are supported to thrive.
Common Thread Practice exists to contribute to that vision through stronger practice, stronger leadership, stronger systems and a shared commitment to creating safety.
Training & Workforce Development
Safe & Together Core & One Day Overview
The Safe & Together Model is an internationally recognised approach that supports professionals to keep children's experiences visible, partner with adult victim survivors and maintain accountability for the person using violence.
Recognise & Respond (Coming Soon)
Recognise & Respond is Common Thread Practice's workforce capability framework for non-specialist professionals, designed to strengthen confidence in recognising domestic and family violence and responding safely within professional roles.
Partners:
