Cultural Safety

The development of the Cultural Safety Framework seeks to ensure a continually high standard of culturally safe engagement with stakeholders remains a key concern to CAAPS board and staff. It has been designed to articulate CAAPS’ existing approach to cultural safety as well as imbed strategies that seek to improve this approach into the future. It aims to guide the development and implementation of culturally safe strategies that appreciate the cultural differences within Aboriginal society.

Principles

  • Empowerment of Aboriginal People
  • People and family-centred
  • Transparency & Accountability
  • Equity
  • Shared responsibility
  • Ongoing improvement and innovation

Action

The Cultural Safety Plan enables the committee to be guided in their development and to monitor priority actions and has identified four focus areas. These focus areas include Program & Services, Grounds & Facilities, Publications, and CAAPS Workforce. The committee provides ongoing consultation in line with the four focus areas and advocates for and promotes the Cultural Safety principles within the organisation.

Program & Services

To ensure that all programs and services are being delivered in a culturally safe way. All programs, projects, and services must be reviewed and approved by the committee prior to implementation.

Grounds & Facilities

To ensure that the grounds and facilities provided by CAAPS are culturally safe for Aboriginal people and their families as well as the general Aboriginal community.

Publications

To ensure that all publications produced by CAAPS are culturally safe. This includes forms, reports, promotional material, web-based content, and multimedia publications.

CAAPS Workforce

To ensure that CAAPS can attract and retain a suitably skilled Aboriginal workforce as well as to ensure that all new employees have the knowledge to effectively work with Aboriginal people, their families, and their communities.

Committee Membership

At least four members who meet the following criteria:

  • Member of the senior management team
  • Member of Staff (non-management) who identifies as Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander
  • Member of Staff (non-management) who does not identify as Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander
  • Community Member who identifies as Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander

Progress on Key Priority Actions

Programs & Services

  • Use of Aboriginal specific resources (AimHi Stay Strong app.) as a case management e-Mental Health tool
  • Clients to be referred to culturally safe services

Grounds & Facilities

  • Culture block restoration and re-generation of seasonal bush tucker trees
  • Provision of traditional food and cooking methods

Publications

  • All commonly used publications reviewed and amended by the Cultural Safety Committee
  • Caution prior to accessing CAAPS website

CAAPS Workforce

  • Introduction of general cultural awareness training for new employees
  • Plans developed to increase CAAPS skilled Aboriginal workforce

The Cultural Safety Plan includes

  • Male & female AOD workers available for clients with culturally based gender preferences
  • Use of Aboriginal specific resources
  • MOU with DIMS Indigenous Men’s service
  • MOU with Danila Dilba Health Service
  • Relationships with Aboriginal Interpreter Service for engagement with services as required
  • On-site Firepit for cooking
  • Traditional food options – Kangaroo tail, Longbums, fresh-water turtle, goose and periwinkle
  • Publication warnings for viewer discretion
  • AOD and Youth programs specifically tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people