Working and Walking Together

Supporting Family Relationship Services to Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families and Organisations

Introduction

Working and Walking Together: Supporting Family Relationship Services to Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families and Organisations has been developed to support non-Indigenous Family Relationship Services develop culturally appropriate professional practice and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. It provides ideas, information, tools, practical tips and encouragement to assist non
Indigenous organisations and their non-Indigenous staff to strengthen their relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations. The importance of respect and of taking a strengths-based approach are at the foundation of this resource.

This resource responds to a need identified by the Family Relationship Services sector for knowledge and resources to assist in working more effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. To its credit, the sector recognises that it is not reaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enough. Many practitioners, managers, and other workers across the sector – people like you – have requested resources, support and ideas to assist in building their capacity, skills and knowledge to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in culturally appropriate ways, and to be able to engage with their communities and families more effectively.

Nevertheless, there have been many successes – organisations that have been developing innovative and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Some have worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to do so, while others have drawn on the expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to assist them. To build on these successes and examples, Family Relationship Service providers are encouraged to share with and learn from each other in a spirit of supporting and encouraging strengths and knowledge.