CHCDIV002 Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety

CHCDIV002

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural safety

Summative assessment 2

Write a paper of 2,000 words explaining why indigenous people in Australia are still disadvantaged with regard to health/community services. In the paper, consider a number of cultural issues that impact on acceptance of health and community services- in terms of both historical and contemporary issues in the context of the work you do, or will do.

Than develop, record and explain the strategies that you would follow to engage indigenous communities, elders and individuals in the development and evaluating of service provision. Explain the consultation and negotiation procedures that you would enter into to identify cultural safety requirement and to develop appropriate strategies.

Make a list of the resources that might be required in order to address these issues and explain how the resources you have listed would best be appropriated.

Why is necessary to ensure greater accountability on the part of funding bodies, government agencies and health/ community providers?

Explain also how:

• Awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures can be incorporated into work practices
• Awareness of how your own cultural realities might impact on your work practices
• Workers can develop effective and respectful communication, consultation and negotiation procedures with members of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• People can reflect cultural safety in workplace and professional relationships
• Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
  • respecting each staff member by getting to know them so that all staff can get along during work hours and that they are well informed on the centre policy and program so that they are able to work together to make sure they are providing the best care and supervision for the children.
  • contributing each culture into the centre’s appearance, each month at our centre we are exploring a new country and are planning experiences based on the country, our centre chef also becomes involved by cooking a meal based on that cultural background involving the children in these cooking experiences, the educators then display the children’s artworks on the walls in each room at the centre as well as outside the door in the main entrance.
• Service providers can take cultural issues (including the focus on self-determination) into consideration and increase participation in services
• Indigenous people can be encouraged to participate in evaluating services and negotiating their needs regarding desired outcomes.

Answers must be comprehensive, detailed, demonstrate appropriate research and be supported by suitable references

Aboriginal health is a holistic concept which involves physical, emotional, spiritual, social, economic and cultural dimensions; it involves the notion that individual and community health cannot be separated from one another; it incorporates a central tenet of Aboriginal religion i.e. the cycle of life-death-life. The extreme health disadvantage of Aboriginal communities is a direct consequence of the effects of the economic, social, cultural and religious oppression which have occurred since the installation of non-Aboriginal governments in the Aboriginal land of Australia. In order to address Aboriginal health needs effectively, intersectional collaboration across all relevant areas of government and society is required. Since Aboriginal health disadvantage is not merely a medical problem, the biomedical model is an ineffective solution towards the goal of improving the health of Aboriginal people.

Cultural issues that impact on acceptance of health and community services include…..

Language is an issue within an Aboriginal community, as the service will need an interpreter to have positive outcomes to provide efficient health care so the client can be put at ease and not feel uncomfortable with the service worker. Family violence is another critical issue as it involves physical harm, or nonphysical and verbal ,as it can be directed to a family member, community etc. Self-esteem and self-determination problems also have a direct impact on the health and welfare of indigenous way of life

Strategies that I would follow to engage indigenous communities, elders and individuals in the development and evaluating of service provision would include:

I would be honest and communicate in words at which level the client and family members or the community can understand. I would also use any communication that is respectful of the clients or community’s values are respected, taking care to have them feel no shame, or by creating any situation which would bring shame to a community. By presenting myself in a professional appearance. I would also take spiritual beliefs, land, health and wellbeing into consideration whilst engaging with the community, family or client. Advertising and welcoming more Indigenous people to apply for health services, promote training courses to help Indigenous people gain the training required to work in health services, create services that can help with the distance that needs to be travelled to access health services (mini buses, traveling medical services), when creating a new health service for those who live out rural, ensure that it is placed in an area where it will be accessible.

issues relating to the Promotion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety in the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector would be:

Building an indigenous workforce does, however, have challenges. Indigenous people in remote areas face difficulties which can include lack of basic education, inability to engage in and sustain western-style employment due to cultural and family responsibilities. Overcrowding in housing that does not support routine employment, the pressure of multiple health, alcohol, drug use and other issue. There are still proportionally low numbers of indigenous people studying or being trained for employment positions which will result in the provision of culturally acceptable health services It is often difficult to attract non-indigenous people to specialist work areas ,ex ;dietetics, podiatry, physio therapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, social work, training, counselling, medical officers etc. To work and live in rural and remote areas for extended periods.

My own cultural realities might impact on my work practices in a positive way in that I am very open to cultural diversity and including diverse children and families in my family day care service. I have respect for the diversity of culture, skin and language groups, family structures, art and religion in Indigenous cultures.