Resources to support culturally safe service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
July 2024
This resource sheet provides a list of resources and organisations that can support non-Indigenous practitioners and organisations in the child, family and community sector to provide culturally safe service responses to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
We acknowledge the traditional Country throughout Australia on which we gather, live, work and stand. We acknowledge all Traditional Custodians, their Elders past and present, and we pay our respects to their continuing connection to their culture, community, land, sea and rivers.
Introduction
The social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has been significantly impacted by the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism and intergenerational trauma (Bamblett et al., 2012). As a result of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples often experience culturally unsafe services that do not meet their needs, do not acknowledge the impacts of colonisation and diminish, demean and disempower their cultural identity and wellbeing (Clear, 2008 cited in Walker et al., 2014).
Cultural safety is vital to all aspects of service delivery to ensure service responses meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Department of Social Services [DSS], 2021; National Indigenous Australians Agency, 2023; SNAICC, 2023). Providing culturally safe services to families and communities is essential in setting the foundation for strong social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities.
Although there is widespread recognition that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal-led corporations are usually best placed to provide culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities (see e.g. the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (2020)), non-Indigenous organisations often still deliver services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, either alone or in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. They, therefore, also have a responsibility to ensure their services for, and engagements with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are culturally safe.
What is cultural safety?
Cultural safety involves providing a safe, nurturing and positive environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults are able to be themselves and express their culture, and where their spiritual and beliefs systems and sense of self and identity are supported and respected (National Office for Child Safety [NOCS] et al., 2021). It also includes upholding the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to maintain connection to their land and Country, maintain kindship ties and social obligations, and identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander without fear of retribution, challenge or denial of their identity and experience (NOCS et al., 2021).
Cultural safety is an environment, which is safe for people, where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity and experience. It is about shared respect, shared meaning, shared knowledge and experience of learning together with dignity and true listening. Cultural safety is about creating and maintaining an environment where all people are treated in a culturally respectful manner. (Aboriginal Partnership Forum Working Group, 2017, cited in Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2018, p 31)
Cultural safety is also about creating and maintaining services that are safe and accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, where all people are treated in a culturally respectful manner (Aboriginal Partnership Forum Working Group, 2017, cited in Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2018; DSS, 2022).
At the practitioner level, cultural safety includes (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA], 2020):
- recognising that power differences between practitioners and clients exist and can affect the delivery of safe, accessible and responsive services
- ongoing self-reflection about one’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that impact practitioner–client interactions or relationships
- understanding how interpersonal and structural racism contribute to a lack of cultural safety
- understanding that what is culturally safe is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Approaches to cultural safety need to be holistic and part of everyday practice at an individual, organisational and system level (Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency [VACCA], 2008). Building culturally safe practices and policies is a continuous process of learning, reflection and improvement (Australian Human Rights Commission [AHRC], 2018; Walker et al., 2014).
This resource sheet outlines resources and organisations that can assist non-Indigenous practitioners and organisations on their cultural safety learning journey.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations that provide cultural safety related resources and services
This is a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations that provide cultural safety related resources and services such as cultural awareness training. This is an indicative list of some key organisations and is not exhaustive. Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations such as SNAICC advise that practitioners should prioritise resources developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
| Name of organisation | Details of resources and services |
|---|---|
| SNAICC – National Voice for our Children | SNAICC has various resources including guides for building genuine partnerships and working with families. SNAICC also has reports and publications of relevance. |
| The Lowitja Institute | A national community-controlled health and wellbeing research institute, providing tools and guides on issues including cultural safety and culturally safe evaluation. |
| WellMob – Healing our way | Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It contains training resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community workers to look after their own wellbeing and to support non-Indigenous workers who want to learn more about culturally safe practices. |
| Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia | A national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. It consists of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association. |
| Healing Foundation | The Healing Foundation has a number of resources on trauma and healing and what works to promote healing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and provides culturally appropriate information for workers. |
| HealthInfoNet | This website is a central hub providing a comprehensive collection of publications, resources, policies and programs relating to physical health and social and emotional wellbeing. |
| Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) | VACCHO’s Cultural Safety Services team offers training and organisational audits designed to increase cultural safety in practice and spaces while strengthening relationships with Australia’s First Peoples, Communities and Organisations within Victoria. |
| Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) | VACCA’s website has resources on various topics including education, family violence, treaty, culture and LGBTIQA+. VACCA also provide training programs to community services organisations, government agencies and individuals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and people. |
Online frameworks, practice guides and related resources on cultural safety
This is a non-exhaustive list of some key online resources (e.g. frameworks, practice guides) that can support non-Indigenous practitioners and child and family services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities to continue to build their ability to provide culturally safe services. They are separated into non-government and government published resources.
Resources published by non-government organisations
The following table outlines practical resources published by non-government related organisations and people.
| Name of resource | Author/Publisher | Details |
|---|---|---|
| What is Cultural Safety? (2020) | Australian Childhood Foundation | An article describing what cultural safety is and what it means to work within a cultural framework with First Nations people |
| Cultural Safety and Self-Determination A Necessary Relationship (publication date unknown) | Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) | An article that describes the relationship between cultural safety and self-determination. It also describes the development of a Cultural Safety framework for the Victorian Government. |
| Cultural Safety in Trauma-Informed Practice from a First Nations Perspective (Billabongs of Knowledge series) (2023) | The Seedling Group | A book that offers insights for professionals working with First Nations communities on how to conduct culturally safe and trauma-informed practice with First Nations peoples in Australia. It explores psychological trauma and healing, and the clinical and cultural implications of the impacts of colonisation, through a First Nations lens. |
| Keeping Our Kids Safe – SNAICC (2023) | SNAICC and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) | Resources to help organisations engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and communities: · a guide to implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities · an animated video explaining the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations through a cultural lens |
| Growing up Our Way: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Rearing Practices Matrix (2011) | SNAICC | A matrix designed to document traditional and contemporary child-rearing practices among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. This resource helps workers gain an understanding of the ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people grow up their children. |
| Responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Experiences of Violence (2023) | 1800 Respect | This article provides an overview of understanding and responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences of violence, including the importance of culturally appropriate responses. |
| Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (2023) | Safe+Equal and Djirra | This practice guide has been developed by Djirra, an Aboriginal family and domestic violence prevention and legal service. It is designed for non-Indigenous family and domestic violence workers who are responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing family and domestic violence. |
| Looking Where the Light is: Creating and Restoring Safety and Healing (publication date unknown) | Healing Foundation | A culturally based practice framework for understanding and responding to child sexual abuse. The framework is designed to create and restore safety and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. |
| Cultural Security Framework — KAHPF (2023) | Kimberley Aboriginal Health | A framework for the delivery of culturally secure mental health, alcohol and other drug services and support. The framework takes a continuous quality improvement approach to improve cultural security in an organisation, both for employees and clients/patients. A supporting guide and self-assessment tool are available to assist services/organisations to self-manage implementation. |
| Healing our Children and Young People: A Framework to Address the Impacts of Domestic and Family Violence (2023) | Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) | This evidence-based framework is designed for non-Indigenous services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations who work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to heal from experiences of violence. |
| A Guide to Culturally Safe Practice in Mental Health (publication date unknown) | Mental Health Co-ordinating Council | This resource has been produced to help carers, supporters and organisational leaders in mental health services to work collaboratively and respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. |
| Cultural Safety Framework (2016) | Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Program Services (CAAPS) Corp., Northern Territory | This framework aims to guide the development and implementation of culturally safe strategies at CAAPS. It may be used as an example for other similar organisations. |
| Wayipunga resource (2023) | Koorie Youth Council | Wayipunga (supporting young people) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth participation framework that provides workers, organisations and government with strategies to support young people’s participation in decision-making processes. The framework is made up of 3 sections: Values, Knowledge and Actions. |
| Good Yarn Guidelines: Media Guidelines on the Reporting of First Nations Issues in Australia (2023) | Various | Guidelines co-developed by Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA), Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit), Black Dog Institute and Everymind to guide responsible reporting and communications around issues relating to First Nations communities. |
| Emerging Minds Toolkit for Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families (2023) | Emerging Minds | A toolkit containing resources to support non-Indigenous practitioners to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families. |
| Storylines (2023) | Burraga Foundation | A database of non-secret and non-sacred Aboriginal stories of history, culture and achievement. It is a platform that provides local community members, schools, organisations and the broader community with a culturally safe environment in which to share and celebrate Aboriginal stories. |
Resources published by Commonwealth government organisations
The following table outlines some practical resources published by Commonwealth government departments, agencies or institutions.
| Name of resource | Publisher | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CORE Cultural Learning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia | AIATSIS, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Social Services. | An online course produced by AIATSIS for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Social Services. It is designed to build respect and cultural understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures and is available to all Australian Public Service (APS) employees. |
| Cultural Safety and Responsiveness Tool (2022) | Department of Social Services | A tool for Children and Family Intensive Support (CaFIS) services to create and maintain a culturally safe service. |
| Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People: A background Paper to Inform Work on Child Safe Organisations (2018) | Australian Human Rights Commission | A background paper on cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people was produced for a forum on Child Safe Organisations and cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in January 2018. This work culminated in the guide Keeping Our Kids Safe: Cultural Safety and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. |
| National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017–2023 (2017) | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | This framework focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing and mental health. It sets out a comprehensive and culturally appropriate stepped care model that is equally applicable to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream health services. It can help guide and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health policy and practice and can be an important resource for policy makers, advocates, service providers, clients, consumers and researchers. |
| Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice (2014) | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Telethon Institute for Child Health Research; Kulunga Research Network; University of Western Australia | A book that examines issues related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing. It aims to inform mental health policy and practice in Australia to the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
| ACCO Leadership Transition Framework (2023) | Department of Education | A framework to assist with the transition of decision-making control to ACCOs. While this resource is specific to program coordinators of the Connected Beginnings program, it has relevance to other programs and policies. |
| First Nations Care Leavers: Supporting Better Transitions (2022) | Australian Institute of Family Studies | This resource aims to support practitioners to design and implement strengths-based culturally informed support services, particularly in the child protection system. |
Resources published by state and territory government organisations
State/territory governments also publish strategies, frameworks and action plans that support building culturally safe child and family services. The following tables outline some resources published by state/territory government departments, agencies or institutions.
Australian Capital Territory
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019–2028 | An agreement that outlines how the ACT Government, non-government organisations and the Elected Body will work together to meet the social, cultural and economic needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This website contains Agreement action plans and related reports. |
| Strong Families Portal | This website provides information on whole of government services, initiatives and events relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and organisations. |
New South Wales
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020–2025 | This strategy provides overarching strategies for action for NSW Health services to achieve the goals of holistic, person and family-centred care and healing; culturally safe, trauma-informed, quality care; and connected care. |
| SafeWork NSW | SafeWork has an Aboriginal program and a website that contains information about culturally safe workplaces. |
| Cultural Capability Guide | This website provides information about cultural capability and inclusivity across the employee life-cycle stages for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public sector employees. |
| Aboriginal Affairs | Aboriginal Affairs NSW works with Aboriginal communities to promote social, economic and cultural wellbeing. This website contains information about the work of Aboriginal Affairs and topics including Closing the Gap in NSW, policy reform, and healing and reparations. |
| NSW Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans. |
Northern Territory
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory Health Aboriginal Cultural Security Framework 2016–2026 (2019) | The framework guides the design and delivery of services by Territory Families that are culturally safe and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal children, young people, families and the broader community. |
| NT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the Northern Territory Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans. |
Queensland
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010–2033 (2010) | The framework provides guidance on how to build culturally safe attitudes, awareness, behaviour and skills to engage with Aboriginal people in the delivery of services. |
| Qld Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the Queensland Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans. |
South Australia
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| South Australian Aboriginal Health Promotion Strategy: Strengthening and Promoting the Cultural Determinants of Health and Wellbeing 2022–2030 (2022) | The strategy provides ways to guide, inform, identify and provide clear directions for improving the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal community in South Australia. |
| Aboriginal Cultural Practice Framework (2022) | This framework provides guidance on culturally safe and responsive practice within the Safer Families Services. |
| SA Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the Government of South Australia’s Closing the Gap implementation plans. |
Tasmania
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Improving Aboriginal Cultural Respect Across Tasmania's Health System Action Plan 2020–2026 (2020) | The plan has been developed to help create culturally safe health services, environments and workplaces for Aboriginal people. |
| Tasmania Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the Tasmanian Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans. |
Victoria
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety Framework (2019) | This framework has been designed to assist mainstream health and community services strengthen their cultural safety. |
| Korin Korin Balit-Djak: Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategic Plan 2017–2027 (2017) | An overarching plan for action to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal Victorians. |
| Balit Murrup Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Framework 2017–2027 (2017) | A framework to assist mainstream Victorian government departments to create culturally safe environments, services and workplaces. |
| Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way (2018) | An Aboriginal-led strategy to address family violence in a culturally safe way. |
| Nargneit Birrang – Aboriginal Holistic Healing Framework for Family Violence (2019) | A framework to guide the flexible design, funding, implementation and evaluation of Aboriginal-lead holistic healing programs for family violence in Victoria. |
| Wungurilwil Gapgapduir Aboriginal Children and Families Agreement (2018) | An agreement between the Aboriginal community, Victorian Government and community service organisations. It outlines a strategy to reduce the number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. |
| Victoria Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the Victorian Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans |
Western Australia
| Name of resource | Details |
|---|---|
| WA Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Framework 2015–2030 (2015) | This framework is a set of guiding principles, strategic directions and priority areas to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Western Australia. |
| WA Closing the Gap Implementation Plan | This website contains information on the WA Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans |
Directories/databases of cultural safety or cultural competency training providers
In addition to the organisations listed above, there are other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations that provide cultural safety, cultural competency or cultural awareness training to individuals and organisations to increase their capability to deliver culturally safe and responsive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Specific businesses and organisations may be found by searching directories of certified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. Examples of national and state/territory directories include:
| Business or organisation | Details |
|---|---|
| Supply Nation | A database of verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses around Australia. |
| Indigenous Organisation Database | A database of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia published by the Business Council of Australia. |
| Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Victoria Ltd | An organisation that represents certified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Victoria |
| Aboriginal Business Directory WA | A directory that lists Aboriginal businesses operating in Western Australia |
| SA Aboriginal Business Directory | An online resource for finding Aboriginal businesses in South Australia |
| NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) | The peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in New South Wales, with an online directory of Aboriginal businesses in the Aboriginal Business Portal |
| Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) | The peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in the Northern Territory |
| Black Business Finder | A directory that lists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Queensland |
Authors and acknowledgements
This resource sheet was written by Dr Mandy Truong, Research Fellow and Hilary Miller (former Research Fellow) with the Child Family Community Australia information exchange at the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
We wish to acknowledge and thank the AIFS Critical Friends Network members and representatives from VACC and SNAICC who provided advice and feedback on this resource.
How this resource was developed
This resource sheet uses references from a range of sources. Online resources were obtained from peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies (e.g. SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children, the Lowitja Institute and the Victorian Child Care Agency [VACCA]), Commonwealth and state/territory government departments and other relevant organisations from searching sources including Google and the Australian Policy Observatory. Advice and input for this resource was provided by members of AIFS’ Child and Family Evidence Critical Friends Network (which comprises stakeholders and experts from the child and family service sector), and representatives from VACCA and SNAICC. The information in this resource is current at the time of publication.
References
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). (2020). The National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020–2025. NACCHO Aboriginal Health News website. nacchocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-cultural-health-and-safety-strategy-2020-2025-1.pdf
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). (2018). Cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people: A background paper to inform work on child safe organisations. Sydney: AHRC. childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/diverse-needs/cultural-safety
Bamblett, M., Frederico, M., Harrison, J., Jackson, A., & Lewis, P. (2012). ‘Not one size fits all’ Understanding the social & emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children. Melbourne: La Trobe University, VACCA and Berry Street Take Two.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). (2018). Dhelk Dja: Safe our way – strong culture, strong peoples, strong families. Melbourne: Department of Health and Human Services.
Department of Social Services (DSS). (2021). Safe and supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.
Department of Social Services. (2022). Cultural safety and responsiveness. Canberra: DSS. www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children-programs-services-parenting-families-and-children-activity/cafis-3c-cultural-safety-and-responsiveness
National Office for Child Safety, SNAICC, & VACCA. (2021). Keeping our kids safe: Cultural safety and the national principles for child safe organisations. Canberra: National Office for Child Safety. www.childsafety.gov.au/resources/keeping-our-kids-safe
National Indigenous Australians Agency. (2023) Commonwealth Closing the Gap implementation plan. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.www.niaa.gov.au/resource-centre/indigenous-affairs/commonwealth-closing-gap-implementation-plan-2023
SNAICC (2023). Family Matters – Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger children. Annual report 2023. SNAICC
Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA). (2008). Aboriginal Cultural Competence Framework. Melbourne: Department of Human Services. www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/VAC.0001.002.0001.pdf
Walker, R., Schultz, C., & Sonn, C. (2014). Cultural Competence: Transforming policy, services, programs and practice. In P. Dudgeon, H. Milroy, & R. Walker (Eds.). Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice. Canberra: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
© Gettyimages/SolStock