Case study
Maria is a manager of a community not for profit organisation that runs a range of community programs including two youth programs that attract some local young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The Indigenous young people and their parents have experience of the impacts of colonial intergenerational trauma. Maria is non-Indigenous, new to the position and doesn’t have a working knowledge of the specific cultural issues that may impact on the relationships of staff and individuals who use the programs. Sam is an Aboriginal Youth Worker who facilitates a few of the youth programs at the centre. In one of the first staff meetings Sam expresses their concern that respect for cultural differences needs to be a higher priority for the organisation. Sam goes on to explain that they believe if the organisation were more culturally aware, they would have greater success attracting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As on of the first duties as manager, Maria will be evaluating the youth programs in terms of their cultural safety and how to improve cultural competency across the organisation.
Questions
1. Explain why it is important for Maria to evaluate cultural safety of programs run at the centre?
2. Identify and explain at least 3 cultural factors and how colonialization could impact delivery of services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people at this centre?
3. Identify 2 local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Places / People or Organisations whom Maria could build relationships and engage with to promote and improve cultural safety at the centre? Research the relevant websites of the 2 local Places / People or Organisations and find their view on cultural safety. (Look at their mission / vision statements which highlight their views)
4. Explain what cultural brokers are and when it is appropriate for Maria to engage their support.
5. Identify 3 specific examples of workplace policy and practices that would promote cultural safety and encourage increased participation at the centre. These examples need to recognise Aboriginal self-determination and community control.
6. Explain how Maria can measure and document success against the culturally safe policy / practices identified in question 8. Provide a minimum of 2 ways to measure success.