Question

Identify and describe 3 (three) ways to involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the planning and delivery of services and programs.

Answer 1

Ans: Planning and delivering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities can be a complex task for practitioners and policy-makers. Social problems are often deeply entrenched, and need to be approached with consideration of historical, social, community, family and individual factors.

Methods that child and family services can use to support Indigenous families and communities include:

working with Indigenous communities

ensuring your service is culturally competent

focusing on attracting and retaining the right staff

cultivating networks and relationships

adopting an action research approach 5

Communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It can be achieved by:

Identifying communication issues and ensure they are addressed to develop and maintain effective relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and/or co-workers

Employ appropriate communication strategies to support a culturally safe environment for delivery of health services

Identify ineffective and/or inappropriate communication strategies and remodel them to support delivery of health services

Identify and utilise resources to facilitate effective communication within the workplace

Engage the services of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreters, health workers and colleagues as cultural brokers as required to meet duty of care

Work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities:

Develop and implement strategies to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health service delivery

Identify and utilise resources to promote effective partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities

Ensure delivery of health care, services and programs reflect culturally safe and appropriate practice

Support the development of effective partnerships between staff, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities to facilitate accessibility, affordability, accountability, acceptability of appropriate healthcare and workplace services.

Ensure health care, services and programs encourage self-determination and community control to ensure improved health outcomes.

Reference:

https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/working-indigenous-children-families-and-communities

https://training.gov.au/TrainingComponentFiles/HLT07/HLTHIR404D_R1.docm

https://aspirelr.com.au/assets/document/1447103677-ecdiv002_sample.pdf