` Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2017 2019
Contents This artwork was created by Gilimbaa to represent how supports those in our care. The individual and their family are at the centre of everything we do. Our mission of bringing the light of Christ expands out to their extended family and the wider community. The string game is a traditional game of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and is played by boys and girls, as well as adults. In this artwork, the string game represents the pathways and connections that link and lead to the individual we are supporting. Our purpose... 3 Our principles... 3 Connection... 3 Inclusion... 3 Participation... 3 Our commitment... 4 Service delivery... 6 Housing Services... 6 Children, Youth and Families... 6 Mission Development... 6 Supporting documents... 6 Key dates... 7 Related documents... 7 Head Office 41 Brookfield Road Kenmore Queensland 4069 Phone: 07 3327 1600 Fax: 07 3878 1268 Website: cofc.com.au Page 2
Our purpose To provide Churches of Christ in Queensland staff with appropriate guidance and support regarding community protocols and cultural considerations for engaging with peoples. This will ensure that staff work practices and ongoing communication is both respectful and empowering to communities. The development of this strategy has taken place in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander internal staff and members of the broader community. This strategy will both strengthen our partnerships with communities as well as inform future service delivery. values the importance of shared goals and understanding to enable high levels of participation and effective engagement which lead to sustained strategies and success. Staff knowledge and understanding of cultural protocols and respectful language is an important step towards respecting and representing views, encouraging culturally appropriate work practices and achieving cultural diversity. The is a plan for increasing our engagement in the areas we service. This plan will be reviewed annually by our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. Our principles is committed to incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the way we do business as supported by our Strategic plan 2015-2018. This engagement strategy will be guided by the principles of Connection, Inclusion and Participation. Connection recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as two separate and distinct cultures. We are committed to establishing and fostering strong relationships with Elders, Traditional Owners, key representatives and organisations. This will enable us to connect in a meaningful and respectful way, which creates positive outcomes for communities. We will go the extra mile with compassion and grace, and work alongside communities to achieve the best outcomes possible. Inclusion recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as First Nations peoples with rich traditions and customs. We also recognise the negative impact of previous government policies and intergenerational trauma. Our organisation is committed to working alongside communities as the owners and decision makers in the design and delivery of current and future community programs. We will respect cultural wisdom and always act with empathy and honesty. Participation will provide opportunities for staff to develop cultural competence and cultural respect when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through cultural awareness training and education we will be better culturally informed to support service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We will be accountable to the communities we work alongside and will continuously look for ways to improve the quality of our engagement and services. Each of these principles are underpinned by our organisational values: 1. Modelling unconditional love 2. Behaving with integrity 3. Being good stewards Page 3
Our commitment is committed to developing meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities as being fundamental to the work of our organisation. This is fundamental to the work of our organisation and will be strengthened by: Establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council Continuing and strengthening participation in urban, regional and remote community forums that supports our service delivery and mission objectives Building high level engagement and participation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders, families and individuals Developing culturally appropriate materials to support our publications and organisational website that demonstrate our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Harnessing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffs knowledge and expertise to strengthen and positively support our organisation s cultural capability Our will demonstrate a commitment to: Respectfully acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional owners and custodians of the land and sea Recognising each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as culturally unique Acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in all parts of Australia in urban, rural and remote communities commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and the broader community is further demonstrated by: Human Resources policies which are relevant and inclusive of cultural considerations relating to staff, which includes having a Recruitment and Retention Policy, Cultural Leave Policy, access to culturally appropriate support services and dedicated processes for advertising identified vacancies Ongoing commitment to the development, implementation and monitoring of our Reconciliation Action Plan via the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Supporting and encouraging staff to celebrate significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events with the broader community as well as including local Elders and Traditional Owners Developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business procurement list including membership to Supply Nation Providing clear career opportunities and pathways for our staff Providing cultural awareness training for all staff through online LearningLink modules and face-to-face sessions supported by Traditional Owners and Elders Implementing a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee network developed and facilitated by internal staff Providing cultural and mentoring supervision and support The organisation s vision is that through common goals and mutual expectations there is an opportunity to transform the lives of individuals through connectedness, purpose and meaning. Churches of Christ in Queensland is committed to a strong action framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement that supports the Page 4
organisation as a leader in the community sector as well as an employer of choice for future staff. A regional model of governance as implemented by the organisation has previously been recognised as the preferred model for engagement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This model also allows for cultural leadership and responsibility. Finally, it is important to note that our journey towards increasing cultural capability and cultural competence is an evolving one in real time. Figure 1: The Commonwealth Cultural Capability Model. Effective practice in all three domains contributes to an employee becoming culturally capable (apsc.gov.au/publications-and-media/current-publications/cultural-capability-framework) Page 5
Service delivery Housing Services Churches of Christ Housing Services manages tenancies for a significant number of residents. We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement through cultural awareness and capacity training for our operational staff, and the targeted recruitment of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander employees. We also seek to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through our partnerships with Indigenous Housing and Health organisations, along with the development of housing models to increase home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Children, Youth and Families The Children, Youth and Families team s vision is for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities to be engaged, to feel valued and respected, to have equal access to our services and to achieve the best possible outcomes. Children, Youth and Families is committed to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement strategy through service delivery that responds to the principles of connection, inclusion and participation. The fundamental goal of all Children, Youth and Families programs is to reduce potential barriers and to deliver improved services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities. We will achieve this goal through strengthening our relationship with people, organisations and communities. Our commitment to developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement strategy is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to this goal. Mission Development Mission Development is committed to building strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through our Aboriginal Mission Action Partners who lead our team and our organisation to build our cultural capability. We seek to listen, reflect and then empower communities toward the aspirations they seek. It is our passion and commitment to bring the light of Christ into communities. Supporting documents The is further strengthened by the following documents: Community Protocols Guide Respectful Language Guide These documents will provide staff with location based protocols and information to support culturally appropriate engagement, including baseline information to support appropriate communication and language terminology. You can access these on the website cofc.com.au Page 6
Key dates 26 Jan - Survival Day 26 May - National Sorry Day 27 May - 3 June - National Reconciliation Week 3 June - Mabo Day 2-9 July - NAIDOC Week 4 August - National Aboriginal and Islander Children s Day Related documents Community Protocols Guide Respectful Language Guide Strategic Plan 2015-2018 Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-2019 s statement supporting recognition of peoples in the Australian Constitution United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples National Indigenous Reform Agreement Knowledge of previous government policies relating to the Stolen Generations National Framework for Protecting Australia s Children 2009-2020 About has a significant presence in Queensland, Victoria and Vanuatu with over 200 services in more than 100 communities, positively impacting thousands of lives each year. We operate a range of missional and community care services to assist families, the elderly and people in need through church communities and our care services groups operated through Churches of Christ Care and Churches of Christ Housing Services. Page 7