Cultural Safety Framework

C O U N C I L F O R A B O R I G I N A L

A L C O H O L P R O G R A M S E R V I C E S

C O R P .

Published by Council of Aboriginal Alcohol Program Services Corp.

2016

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that while all care has been taken to ensure that

no images included in this report may offend, CAAPS cannot guarantee the above. Please contact CAAPS

to report any sensitive or offensive material on (08)8922 4800

ARTWORK ON FRONT COVER provided by CAAPS Client.

1

Mission

CAAPS is a family focused

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander community controlled

organisation whose mission is

to provide evidence based

assistance to overcome

problems caused by substance

misuse, while raising public

awareness and advocating for

client and community need

Purpose For over 30 years CAAPS has serviced the

community by providing culturally safe

assistance to Aboriginal individuals,

families and communities experiencing

the adverse effects of Alcohol and Other

Drug (AOD) use.

The development of this framework

seeks to ensure a continually high

standard of culturally safe engagement

with stakeholders remains a key concern

to CAAPS boards and staff.

This framework has been designed to

articulate CAAPS existing approach to

cultural safety as well as to imbed

strategies that seek to improve this

approach into the future.

This framework aims to guide the

development and implementation of

culturally safe strategies that appreciate

the cultural differences within Aboriginal

society.

2

1 Williams, R. (1999). Cultural safety – what does it mean for our work practice? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 23(2), 213-214

.

Four Areas of Focus

CAAPS Cultural Safety Framework

focuses on four key areas.

Focus Area 1

Programs and Services.

Includes program content and design

as well as program resources and the

manner of how programs and services

are delivered.

Focus Area 2

Grounds and Facilities

Includes CAAPS grounds, facilities and

services specific to provision of

accommodation.

Focus Area 3

Publications

Includes all organisational publications

such as documents, forms, website

content, promotional material and

multimedia material.

Focus Area 4

CAAPS Workforce

Includes attraction and retention of

staff for CAAPS Aboriginal workforce as

well as development of cultural

knowledge amongst new members of

CAAPS workforce.

Principles CAAPS cultural safety framework is based on

the foundation of the following principles:

✓ Empowerment of Aboriginal people

✓ People and family centered

✓ Transparency & Accountability

✓ Equity

✓ Shared responsibility

✓ Ongoing improvement and innovation

Definition Cultural Safety is concerned with creating an

environment that is spiritually, socially and

emotionally safe, as well as physically safe

for people; where there is no assault

challenge or denial of their identity, of who

they are and what they need. It is about

shared respect, shared meaning, shared

knowledge and experience of learning

together with dignity and truly listening.1

3

Cultural Safety

Committee As part of the implementation of this

framework, a Cultural Safety Committee will

be established at CAAPS.

Their role will be to assist in the rollout of the

framework and to provide ongoing

information and advice on the objectives

related to the frameworks Four Focus Areas.

To enable the committee to be as inclusive as

possible, a variety of membership criteria will

apply to committee positions.

Committee Membership

The committee will be compromised of at least four members who meet the criteria below: ▪ A member of the CAAPS senior management team

▪ A member of staff (non-management) who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

▪ A member of staff (non-management) who does not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait

Islander

▪ A community member who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and can

represent the values of CAAPS client group (may be a cultural advisor)

▪ All board appointed Cultural Advisors

Committee Tasks

❖ Meet quarterly and address a

standing agenda that

includes each of the four

areas of focus as agenda

items;

❖ Assist with initial roll out of

the Cultural Safety

Framework;

❖ Provide ongoing

consultation in line with the

Four Focus Areas of the

framework as needed;

❖ Advocate for and promote

the framework principles

within the organisation.

Focus Area 1: Programs and Services

Focus Area 1 Objectives Outcomes

Program Content and

Delivery

- Reflects the values of a wide range of Aboriginal

people

- Promotes empowerment of Aboriginal people

- Is respectful of Aboriginal people

- Considers the differences between the values,

beliefs and protcols of different Aboriginal

groups

Aboriginal people and their families feel that CAAPS programs are

relevant to them

Aboriginal people feel empowered as a result of partipating CAAPS

programs

Aboriginal people feel that CAAPS programs respect Aboriginal

history, cultural and belief systems and Aboriginal society as a

whole.

Aboriginal people feel that CAAPS programs understand the

uniqueness between distinct Aboriginal groups and regions and is

accommodating of these differences.

Program Resources - Are sensitive to Aboriginal people

- Reflect the beliefs, values and protocols of a

wide range of Aboriginal people

Aboriginal people are not offended by the use of any program

resources

Aboriginal people find the use of program resources to be

appropriate to them

Focus Area 1 aims to ensure that all programs and services are being delivered in a culturaly safe way. All programs, projects and services must be

reveiwed and approved by the Cultural Safety Committee prior to implementation.

Developers and the Cultural Safety Committee must consider the objectives and intended outcomes of Focus Area 1 during development, prior to

implementation and upon review or when changes are applied.

Focus Area 1 Objectives Outcomes

Services - Are respectful to Aboriginal people

- Value Aboriginal peoples self-determination

- Can be flexible to meet the cultural needs of

Aboriginal people, their families and their

communities.

Aboriginal people feel respected when they engage with CAAPS

services

Aboriginal people feel that their self determination is enhanced as a

result of engaging with CAAPS services

Aboriginal people see CAAPS as a service that will be flexible within

their capacity to meet the cultural needs of Aboriginal people, their

families and their communities

Focus Area 2: Grounds and Facilities

Focus Area 2 Objectives Outcomes

Grounds - The grounds are welcoming to Aboriginal people

and include appropriate signage

- There are spaces at CAAPS that allow Aboriginal

people to practice their cultural beliefs

- There are provisions at CAAPS to ensure that

Aboriginal people feel safe (e.g. smoking

ceremony)

Aboriginal people feel welcome and comfortable about spending

time at CAAPS

Aboriginal people have the opportunity to practice cultural beliefs

and lifestyles while at CAAPS.

Aboriginal people feel safe at CAAPS

Focus Area 2 aims 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.

The Cultural Safety Committee will ensure that continous improvements are made in this focus area as part of the Cultural Safety Plan. Client and

community consultation should be an emphasis of the committee when seeking to address this focus area

Focus Area 2 Objectives Outcomes

Accommodation

- Accommodation provided at CAAPS enables

Aboriginal people to be independent and

encourages empowerment

- CAAPS has the capacity to accommodate or

provide accommodation options to Aboriginal

people who must follow avoidance relationship

laws

- CAAPS values a variety of Aboriginal family types

and accommodates them to the best of CAAPS

potential

- Traditional Aboriginal diets and cooking

methods are encouraged and accommodated

where possible

Aboriginal people are independent and empowered while staying at

CAAPS

Aboriginal people are able to follow avoidance relationship laws

while staying at CAAPS

Aboriginal people and their families attend CAAPS together

Aboriginal people are able to eat and cook traditional foods while at

CAAPS.

Common Areas - Common areas are designed to be utilised by a

variety of Aboriginal people from different

groups and regions

- Aboriginal people can access common areas

without breaking avoidance relationship laws

- Common areas are designed for use by a variety

of Aboriginal families

Aboriginal people feel comfortable utilising CAAPS common areas.

Aboriginal people can follow avoidance relationship laws while at

CAAPS.

Aboriginal families access common areas comfortably while at

CAAPS

Focus Area 3: Publications

Focus Area 3 Objectives Outcomes

Written Material - All written material is respectful of the issues

impacting Aboriginal people, their families and

thier communities including cultural values and

beliefs

- Aboriginal people are cautioned where material

may be sensitive at the beginning of written

material

Aboriginal people are not offended by written material produced by

CAAPS

Aboriginal people can avoid viewing sensitive material

Art Work - All Aboriginal art work used in publications is

done so with permission from artists and is used

in a respectful manner.

- Art work which is displayed at CAAPS or on

CAAPS property is respectful of a variety of

different Aboriginal peoples values and beliefs

Aboriginal artists and their families feel valued by CAAPS

Aboriginal people are not offended by the art displayed by CAAPS.

Pictures, film and

audio material

- Pictures, film and audio material produced or

used by CAAPS is respectful of a variety of

Aboriginal people

- Aboriginal people are cautioned where pictures

or film may be sensitive prior to viewing

sensitive material.

Aboriginal people are not offended by CAAPS use of multimedia

Aboriginal people can avoid viewing or listening to sensitive material

produced or used by CAAPS

Focus Area 3 aims to ensure that all publications produced by CAAPS are culturally safe. This includes forms, reports, promotional material, web based

content, and multimedia publications.

It is the responsibility of senior managers to ensure that all relevant publications intended for public distrubution are reviewed by the Cultural Safety

Committee to ensure that they meet the objectives and intended outcomes of this framework prior to public release.

Focus Area 4: CAAPS Workforce

A

Focus Area 4 Objectives Outcomes

Aboriginal Workforce - CAAPS is an employer of choice for skilled

Aboriginal workers

- Aboriginal staff feel valued and enjoy working at

CAAPS

- Aboriginal staff celebrate and share their cutural

knowledge with other clients and members of

CAAPS staff

CAAPS employs a high number of skilled Aboriginal staff

Aboriginal employees choose to remian employed at CAAPS

Aboriginal cultural knowledge is plentiful at CAAPS

New Employees - Obtaining suitable and relevant knowledge

about Aboriginal culture is encouraged and

facilitated at CAAPS as part of induction and

ongoing professional development of staff

- New employees are selected on their

enthusiasm for appreciating, respecting and

learning about other cultures

New staff gain cultural knowledge about Aboriginal values, beliefs

and protocols as well as the issues impacting Aboriginal peoples that

assist them in working effectively with CAAPS stakeholders

New employees seek knowledge about Aboriginal cultures.

Focus Area 4 aims 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.

Responsibility for this area is held by members of the senior management team. The Cultural Safety Committee should be consulted in the case of new

strategies and when material is being produced for these purposes.

Appendices –1 Cultural Safety Plan

This plan should be completed by the Cultural Safety Committee to guide their development and monitoring of priority actions.

It should be reviewed at each quarterly meeting. This plan is intended to be a living document.

Focus Area Current Measures Priority Actions Progress (date)

Programs and

Services

• Cultural themed week in

AOD and VSA Programs

• Male & female AOD workers

available for clients with

cultural based gender

preferences

• Use of Aboriginal specific

resource AimHi app as a case

management SEWB tool.

• MOU with DAIWS

Indigenous Men’s Service to allow for male clients to be

referred to a culturally safe

service.

• Relationship with Aboriginal

Interpreter Service for

engagement with services as

required.

• Source outside provider that

can deliver cultural based

activities to clients on a regular

basis

• Review imbedded feedback

systems to assess how they

collect feedback on cultural

safety and improve if needed.

Grounds & Facilities

• Fire-Pit located at back of

accommodation area for

client use for cooking.

• Several seasonal bush tucker

trees on grounds (Bush

Apple, Billy Goat Plum,

Yams, Rosella, Pandannus)

• Provision of Kangaroo meat

to residential clients for

traditional preparation

• Develop procedures for

responding to clients with

avoidance relationship

obligations at CAAPS (e.g.

consideration made to

transporting clients, attending

whole group programs, using

common areas etc.)

• More opportunities to collect

traditional foods as facilitated

by external providers.

• More signage on the grounds in

Aboriginal dialects (common

regions were CAAPS clients

come from)

Publications

• Caution prior to accessing

CAAPS website so that

Aboriginal people can

choose to view the website

without pictures to avoid

sensitive material

• More commonly used

publications to be reviewed by

the Cultural Safety Committee

and cautions added if required.

CAAPS Workforce

• Introduction of general

online cultural awareness

training for new employees.

• Sourcing or development of

more locally specific tools for

cultural awareness training

• Development of a plan aimed

at increasing CAAPS skilled

Aboriginal workforce

2– Cultural Safety Committee, Standing Agenda Template

AGENDA CULTURAL SAFETY COMMITEE

MEETING NAME CULTURAL SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION CHAIR MINUTES ATTENDEES APOLOGIES

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Welcome

Minutes of previous meeting

2. Action items ongoing previous minutes

Who

3. Focus Area 1: Programs and Services Include items related to new programs or services, new program resources, program reviews, client feedback about cultural aspects of programs.

4. Focus Area 2: Grounds and Facilities Include items related to signage, cultural issues related to accommodation, food and common areas.

5. Focus Area 3: Publications Include items related to review of forms, reports, policies and procedures, multimedia publications, CAAPS promotional material, Artwork, CAAPS website.

6. Focus Area 4: CAAPS Workforce Include HR items that senior management has requested consultation and information about and the progress being provided by the committee.

7. General business (late emerging items or items arising during the meeting)

Close of meeting and date time next meeting