Partnering with Vicki Clark, our new First Peoples partnership at CSS.
The current dialogue from the commission in relation to the Ageing in the Indigenous Population is becoming very strong and prescriptive in the accreditation and quality review processes.
In recent weeks we have had a number of clients call us seeking advice on the areas of provision of cultural safe aboriginal care and what does it constitute. As part of CSS’ service offering we supported these clients to understand their requirements under the special needs areas and provided additional information to support them through their assessment especially in the areas of lifestyle and wellness.
As a result of this increasing requests for information and the importance to align ourselves appropriately to First Nation culture we have engaged Vickic Joan Clark a descendant of the Mutthi Mutthi / Wemba Wamba, to assist us in developing relevant material to address the needs of the Aboriginal community.
Vicki Joan Clark OAM
Vicki is a descendant of the Mutthi Mutthi / Wemba Wamba, and is the proud mother of Tamara and three beautiful grandchildren.
Vicki Clark former Coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria after 25 years of committed service.
Vicki’s contribution to the Australian Catholic Church, Catholic Education and Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been profound over this time. She has taken a leading role in the national Reconciliation Process and is former co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria and currently on the council. She volunteers her time as a Founding Trustee of Opening the Doors Foundation (a foundation that supports and encourages the participation of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Catholic education); and as a director of Yingadi Aboriginal Corporation, an Indigenous corporation dedicated to nurturing Indigenous spirituality and preservation of culture. She was founding Secretary and past Chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. She has given her time and expertise to a number of organisations and boards, inclusive of: Australian Catholic University, Mary Mackillop Foundation, Caritas Australia Indigenous Programmes; Sister of St Joseph, Edmund Rice Education Australia, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and MacKillop Family Services.
Vicki looks forward to working with organisations to develop appropriate tools to address the Royal Commission into Aged Care recommendations, especially in relation to First Nations Peoples.
The following is a summary of information we are finding the commission is talking about and requesting of providers.
The Royal Commission Report into Aged Care and First Nation Peoples.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care identified that:
- Aged care services are not meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse residents.
- Insufficient appropriate staff training in culturally safe practice.
- A lack of trust by First Nations people. This results in a lack of trust in staff and institutions.
- The consumer determines what cultural safety is and that building trust requires continuity of care being provided by a consistent workforce.
Aged Care Royal Commission Final Report – Chapter Seven – Recommendations.
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care pathway within the new aged care system.
- Ensuring cultural safety in the aged care sector.
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner.
- Prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations as aged care providers.
- Employment and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care.
- Setting a funding cycle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care.
- Providing appropriate funding and program streams for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care.
Ongoing Strategies
- Supporting the delivery of culturally safe care can be achieved through culturally focussed awareness and sensitivity education for the aged care workforce.
- Cultural safety training which:
Acknowledges the significant cultural and linguistic differences in Australia,
Assists identification of individual biases,
Provide an awareness of the potential impact of biases on consumers.
- Identify supports including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers and interpreters.
Contact CSS to discuss how we can support your organisation in implementing First Peoples provision of cultural safe aboriginal care and what it constitutes. Phone 02 9052 0292 or email Alex Pirozzi – alex@cssconsulting.com.au
