Recommendation 14
To implement recommendation 14, DFFH must review and revise its mandatory Aboriginal cultural safety training for child protection staff and departmental executives to ensure that it is informed by the relevant history of injustice and Aboriginal cultural and human rights.
DFFH has procured the Koorie Heritage Trust to deliver refreshed Aboriginal cultural safety training to DFFH staff and executives and is updating its Aboriginal cultural safety e-Learn.
Additionally, DFFH is transforming its child protection training by:
- implementing the redeveloped 5-week Child Protection Practice Induction Program (PIP), which has been developed with Aboriginal self-determination and cultural safety embedded through the whole program, including through dedicated subjects covering the importance of practicing with an Aboriginal cultural lens, culturally appropriate planning and practice, and upholding human rights and Aboriginal cultural rights
- delivering a five-part webinar series covering the principles of the Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition, Aboriginal Self-determination and Other Matters) Act 2023 (Statement of Recognition Act)
- engaging a First Peoples organisation to assess the cultural safety of all current child protection training
- commissioning a First Peoples organisation to develop a new professional development program to strengthen and improve child protection practitioners’ capability, competence and support in carrying out their obligations under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) and other human and cultural rights laws to support their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Progress to date and next steps
DFFH has been piloting its refreshed mandatory Aboriginal cultural safety training in 2024. To ensure uptake, Aboriginal cultural safety training is embedded as a deliverable in the DFFH People and Culture strategy and Aboriginal workforce strategy. This includes an all-staff program and people leader (including executives) program and includes all recommendations from the Yoorrook for Justice report.
DFFH commenced running mandatory Anti-Racism People Leaders (including executives) training in January 2024.
Training completion rates will be published in the department’s annual report as part of the Aboriginal workforce strategy and Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework update.
The mandatory redeveloped PIP has commenced for all new DFFH Child Protection Practitioners in May 2024. A five-part webinar series supported the implementation of the Statement of Recognition Act which commenced on 1 July 2024. Implementation activities for the planned cultural assessment of programs and development of the professional development program are planned to commence in 2024-25.
Governance arrangements and stakeholder consultation
Governance of this work is supported by an Aboriginal Workforce Committee and People and Culture Committee, a sub-Committee of the DFFH Board of Management. All learning programs relating to working with Aboriginal children are overseen by the Office of Professional Practice, including input from the Statewide Principal Practitioner for Aboriginal Children and Families whose role is to promote practice occurring with utmost concern for the safety and wellbeing of all Aboriginal children and families interacting with the child protection system.
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