Assessment Task 3
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.