Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan March 2021 – March 2023
Competition Overview In 2018, Act for Kids hosted the Act for Kids Reconciliation Action Plan Art Competition. The competition was open to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists aged 13 and over. Artwork submissions had to be either a drawing or painting, and needed to reflect the Act for Kids vision: “We want all kids to have a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect.” Artists were advised that the winning artwork(s) would be used on the cover and internal pages of the Act for Kids Reconciliation Action Plan, as well as all associated promotional materials. After receiving a significant number of entries, we awarded three winning entries. The winning artists were Ella Gillespie, Anita Morena and Deborah Newenham. Fruit Bat Falls, QLD Photo credit: Beau Wallace
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INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
About the Artists Ella Gillespie Evans Head, New South Wales Ella Gillespie is an Indigenous artist from Evans Head in New South Wales, land of the Bundjalung people, a federation of a number of groups of clans which occupy the land from Grafton on the Clarence river of northern New South Wales north to the town of Ipswich and the Beaudesert, in southern Queensland, then down around the other side of the Great Dividing Range and back to Grafton. In the north, Bundjalung Nation shares a border with Yuggera Nation and Barrunggam Nation; to the east the Tasman Sea (Pacific Ocean); to the south Gumbaynggirr (also known as Kumbainggar) Nation; and to the west it borders Ngarabal Nation.
Anita Morena Morayfield, Queensland Anita Morena is an Indigenous artist who resides in Morayfield, in Queensland. We respectfully acknowledge the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Traditional Custodians of the Moreton Bay region.
Deborah Newenham Byford, Western Australia Deborah Newenham is an artist from Byford in the Armadale region of Western Australia. The City of Armadale was originally occupied by the Noongar people many thousands of years before European settlement. The territory of the Noongar people was the triangle of Western Australia’s southwest extending from the Geraldton district south to Cape Leeuwin, continuing southeast almost to Esperance and then in a line northwest to rejoin the coast at Geraldton.
Ella Gillespie Evans Head, New South Wales
My Place The circle in the centre of my painting represents my safe place, a place where I belong and feel connected. Somewhere I always come back to — my happy place. The surrounding circles represent the people closest to me and the white lines show their journey back to our happy place. The background represents country – green foliage, rivers, streams and the Earth.
Anita Morena Morayfield, Queensland
Reconciliation, Knowledge & Togetherness I believe in order to provide safety for our children, we must gather knowledge from our Elders who have been taught traditional peace-keeping ways and lores of the land. The campfire is traditional lore and spirit of the land and ancestors. In this painting it represents knowledge (red and blue dotted circles), people bringing their experience and sharing with each other (people sitting inside blue dotted circles), as well as togetherness and taking the shared knowledge to our communities (yellow footsteps). The colours used in this painting represent both Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Deborah Newenham Byford, Western Australia
Let’s Protect Our Kids The tree of support in the top centre represents, all branches lead to possible support we can find for our affected children. The 2 big kangaroos either side of the tree are the protectors of our tree of support. Our happy children to the top left represent our empowered kids in the safety of the safe houses. Safe houses are represented by the series of 4 circles with blue dots in them. The lilac flowers represent the specialist teams services – from community education to tertiary services. The meeting place icon (with men and women sitting around) represents the meetings held by Act for Kids specialist teams in order to communicate and discuss the needs for “All kids to have a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect”. Dolphins (for the kids) represent peace and harmony – protection – playfulness and joy – resurrection – inner strength and cooperation. Turtles (for Act for Kids) represent longevity – endurance – persistence and continuation of life. Frogs represent leading you towards a physical or emotional cleansing.
Contents 02
Competition Overview
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About the Artists
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About the Artworks
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Acknowledgement of Country
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Message from the Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
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Our Vision for Reconciliation
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Our Work
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Our Reconciliation Action Plan
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Our Reconciliation Focus
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Our Reconciliation Action Planning Journey Begins
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Our Plan — Relationships
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Our Plan – Respect
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Our Plan – Opportunities
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Our Plan – Governance
1770 Lookout, QLD Photo credit: David Myles
Acknowledgement of Country Act for Kids would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where our Australian offices are based. We would also like to acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging. We seek to foster a culture of friendship and partnership between Act for Kids and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities. 6
INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Message from the Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer Act for Kids acknowledges the: } Aboriginal Custodians of their lands and seas; and } Torres Strait Islander Custodians of their lands and seas.
Leichhardt Falls, QLD Photo credit: Massimo Zaini
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging by proudly embracing our first Reconciliation Action Plan. Act for Kids is an Australian for-purpose organisation providing therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of child abuse and neglect. We have a responsibility to contribute to our community and demonstrate leadership on a complex and important issue that has confronted Australia since colonisation. Act for Kids recognises the importance of reconciliation for our society and the future of our nation. We will grow and strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through positive and inclusive work practices. Our values of being a professional, ethical team who is caring, courageous and collaborative underpin our Reconciliation Action Plan. Act for Kids commits to this Reconciliation Action Plan. We will continue to build respectful, honest and genuine relationships with, and opportunities for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
David Hamill
Katrina Lines
Hon. Dr David Hamill AM Board Chair
Dr Katrina Lines Chief Executive Officer
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
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Our Vision for Reconciliation Act for Kids’ vision for reconciliation is to reduce the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. Act for Kids is committed to ensuring that all children have a safe and happy childhood and we know that being safe in cultures is vitally important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples. We respect and honour the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages, spiritual relationships, histories and achievements. We strive to strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through positive and inclusive work practices and partnerships. With greater engagement and participation in the reconciliation process, Act for Kids will promote understanding and selfdetermination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
We will have a safe and inclusive workplace (community) and embed concepts such as value, respect and understanding of past injustices.
“We respect and honour the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.” MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
Value and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are integrated into our way of working. We will recognise individual factors and needs.
We will reflect, evaluate, learn, improve and not be afraid to change direction – we will be a learning organisation.
Act for Kids acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians and owners of the land who have a UNIQUE and SPECIAL STATUS. We respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures as part of our SPIRIT. We are ONE MOB.
Relationships will underpin our success – team members, clients, service providers, community and networks will work in partnership.
We will seek opportunities to address injustice, remove barriers and focus on strengths.
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Our Work Child abuse and neglect is one of Australia’s most misunderstood social problems. The incidence of abuse and neglect is not well known because it is under-reported. Substantiated data indicate that a child is abused or neglected every 11 minutes in Australia. The trauma from abuse and neglect can negatively impact children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Without intervention, this can lead to lifelong problems including mental and physical ill health, unemployment, substance misuse, incarceration and suicide. The most concerning abuse and neglect statistics are the disproportionate numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system, both in out-of-home care and as the subjects of investigations and assessments. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018-2019 child protection data indicate that compared with non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples are: } 6 times as likely to be substantiated for harm; } 9 times as likely to be on care and protective orders; and } 11 times more likely to be removed from family, community and cultures and placed in out-of-home-care.
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Established in 1988, Act for Kids’ purpose is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. We provide prevention, early intervention and therapy services for children and families who have experienced, or are at risk of child abuse and neglect. Our services include child protection safe houses in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, multidisciplinary trauma-informed therapy, intensive family support and specialised education programs. Act for Kids employs over 400 team members with approximately 30% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. We are a national organisation operating from over 28 locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. We are committed to providing respectful and appropriate client services and a workplace environment that is culturally safe for all our team members. Our vision is that all kids have a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect.
“Established in 1988, Act For Kids’ purpose is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect.”
INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill National Park) QLD Photo credit: Berkeley Cox
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018-2019 child protection data indicate that compared with non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples are:
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TIMES AS LIKELY
TO BE SUBSTANTIATED FOR HARM
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
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TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE ON CARE AND PROTECTION ORDERS
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TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE REMOVED FROM FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND CULTURES AND PLACED IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE
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Our Reconciliation Action Plan Act for Kids recognises the importance of reconciliation for our society and the future of our nation. We will grow and strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through positive and inclusive work practices. Our values of being a professional, ethical team who is caring, courageous and collaborative underpin our reconciliation goals. One of the key reasons we decided to embrace reconciliation as an organisation is the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection systems of every state and territory in Australia. Act for Kids is committed to ensuring that all children have a safe and happy childhood and we know that being safe in cultures is vitally important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples.
“We will grow and strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through positive and inclusive work practices.” 12
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INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Our Reconciliation Focus As an organisation, we have been working towards reconciliation for many years before we embarked upon formally developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. A snapshot of some of our activities and achievements includes:
01 Act for Kids provides family support services in communities in North and Far North Queensland with high numbers of children, young peoples and families who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. In some of our services, more than 70% of clients identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and over 50% of our team members in those regions also identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. When we first implemented these services over a decade ago and were trying to recruit team members for identified roles, we found that there was a marked shortage of skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners. We committed to increasing the number of trained, skilled team members and introduced an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship program in partnership with a local TAFE and philanthropic support. Over the life of the Traineeship (6 years), we employed, paid and mentored more than 50 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people through qualifications and work placements. Some of our original Trainees are still working for Act for Kids and others have gone on to great roles in other organisations and government departments. MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
02 In 2007, the Western Cape York Peninsula Traditional Owners (WCTO) approached Act for Kids to partner with them to provide out-of-home-care services in the four Western Cape York Peninsula communities of Napranum/ Mapoon, Aurukun, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw. Act for Kids were very reluctant to assume we knew how to care for children in these cultural contexts. After much discussion, we agreed to partner with the WCTO in the SafeKIDS program and developed a process for community ownership and participation in the delivery of the services. The community reference groups are the cultural leaders for the services and are involved in the recruitment and approval of team members who work in the safe houses and liaise with child protection statutory workers to ensure children receive appropriate cultural care. In these communities, over 90% of our team members are local people and across the SafeKIDS program, more than 70% of team members identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. More than 150 children have been reunited with their families, communities and cultures through these programs.
03 When Act for Kids took on the outof-home care services in the Western Cape York Peninsula communities and, later, the Doomadgee community, we committed to transitioning these services to community control. Over the last twelve years we have worked with the local communities and consultants to define community ownership and control and what that means for each community. In 2017 the Act for Kids Board formed a First Nations Working Group to drive this project and lobby the funding body, then Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, to ensure the voices and opinions of the local communities were heard. The First Nations Working Group is supporting the Doomadgee community in particular to explore options to form an entity that will take on auspice of the out-of-home care service.
04 As our services are often referred a high proportion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, young peoples and families, we prioritise our team members being culturally safe, aware and appropriate in their work. Act for Kids has a specific Practice Standard called Strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures that contains core competencies practitioners must attain and demonstrate in their work. We also employ senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners as Cultural Advisors. These roles provide expert supervision and consultation for practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. They provide leadership on cultural issues and conduct inductions and training for team members. They are also active in their communities and link our managers and team members to local Elders, Traditional Owners and organisations.
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The Committee members include:
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Central Queensland } Family Support Practitioner (Identified) } Psychologist } Specialist Family Support Practitioner (Identified)
Our Reconciliation Action Planning Journey Begins
Far North Queensland } Cultural Advisor } SafeKIDS Manager } Program Coordinator } Program Manager, Regional Services } Workforce Development Manager
In 2015, our Strategic Plan included a goal to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan to enable us to formally build on and continue through our reconciliation journey. In 2016, we sought expressions of interest from Board and team members from across Act for Kids and formed the Reconciliation Action Plan Committee. We then brought our team together in Brisbane to participate in a Yarn Up facilitated by the Queensland Workforce Council. This was a valuable and integral step in developing a shared understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, the impact of colonisation and to reflect how each of us has a role to play in the reconciliation journey. This powerful two days of insight, sharing, tears and hope created a sense of unity and was the stepping stone to start our planning and consultation process across Act for Kids. The Committee reflected on existing Act for Kids relationships and connectedness with Aboriginal 14
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and Torres Strait Islander team members and communities and considered how we might be able to expand on these. The consultation process was extensive and included Act for Kids team members, Kalwun Development Corporation, Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Limited, Carbal Medical Services, Goondir Health Services, Queensland Workforce Council and Reconciliation Australia. We thank all those who provided feedback at various stages of the consultation process and assisted with the development of this plan.
National
The Reconciliation Action Plan Committee is comprised of Act for Kids team members from a variety of occupational groups, levels and regions of the organisation. From the outset we ensured that Reconciliation activities had Board (Berkeley Cox, Zoe Newbury) and Executive champions (Dr Katrina Lines, Koni Hanlon) and that reconciliation goals form part of the organisation’s strategic focus.
Southern Queensland
} Board Directors (2) } Executive Director, People and Culture } Executive Director, Service Operations } People and Culture Manager
North Queensland } Administration Officer } Cultural Advisor } Regional Director
} Child and Family Consultant } Cultural Advisor } Family Support Practitioners } In Home Support Worker (Identified) } Regional Director } Specialist Family Support Practitioner INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
“We want to achieve greater engagement and participation in the reconciliation process.” Whilst developing our Reconciliation Action Plan, we haven’t stopped taking steps towards reconciliation. Some of our recent initiatives and actions include:
Our Reconciliation Action Plan will focus on three major goals:
01 Building Relationships
} Celebrating and participating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander national days of significance and community events, such as NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week; } Becoming a signatory to Family Matters (SNAICC; https://www.familymatters.org.au); } Joining the Family Matters Queensland Leadership Group; } Further developing specific competencies and training around strengthening cultural practice, such as local inductions with Cultural Advisors; practitioner requirement to meet core practice standards on Strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures; and team members undertaking competency training by Dr Tracey Westerman, Indigenous Psychological Services;
02 Emphasising Respect
} Ensuring that as much as possible, all services have key roles identified for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander team members; } Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are employed at all levels of the organisation, from the Board to front line team members; and } Creating an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists by holding a national art competition with significant prize money to develop artworks for our Reconciliation Action Plan and promotional activities. Through our Reconciliation Action Plan, we look forward to new opportunities to grow our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and help build the capacity of communities and organisations. We want to achieve greater engagement and participation in the reconciliation process and promote understanding and selfdetermination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
03 Creating Opportunities ACT FOR KIDS
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Our Plan — Relationships Our work is preventing and treating child abuse and neglect and reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. To do this successfully we need relationships that demonstrate respect, trust and genuine connection. Action
Deliverables
1. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence
Develop promotional materials for the RAP launch
March 2021
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Organise events for the RAP launch for each Act for Kids region
March 2021
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Promote the RAP and launch on the Act for Kids website, SharePoint and other platforms
March 2021
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Promote the Family Matters (SNAICC) and Family Wellbeing Program on the Act for Kids SharePoint website
October 2021
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Ensure an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander calendar of events is published on the Act for Kids website and SharePoint
October 2021
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Encourage all board and team members to participate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events
October 2021
Executive Director, Service Operations
Ensure National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day is celebrated across Act for Kids annually
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Timeline
4 August 2021, 2022
Lead Responsibility
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Implement strategies to engage our team members in reconciliation
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Communicate our commitment to reconciliation publically (eg. RAP launch to stakeholders; Annual Review; website)
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Explore opportunities to positively influence our external stakeholders to drive reconciliation outcomes
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Action
2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW)
3. Establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations
4. Promote positive race relations through antidiscrimination strategies
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
Deliverables
Timeline
Lead Responsibility
Consult and promote Reconciliation Australia’s resources and articles
March 2022
People and Culture Manager
Join state memberships of Reconciliation Councils (eg. Reconciliation VIC; Reconciliation NSW; Reconciliation QLD) to be informed of state events and local news; promote to team members increasing knowledge and understanding of local reconciliation initiatives
March 2022
People and Culture Manager
Collaborate with Reconciliation Australia and other like-minded organisations to develop ways to advance reconciliation
March 2022
People and Culture Manager
Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our team members
April 2021, April 2022
People and Culture Manager
Register all our NRW events on Reconciliation Australia’s NRW website
April 2021, April 2022
People and Culture Manager
Organise at least one NRW event each year
27 May – 3 June 2021, 2022
People and Culture Manager
RAP committee to participate in an external NRW event
27 May – 3 June 2021, 2022
People and Culture Manager
Encourage and support team members and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW
27 May – 3 June 2021, 2022
People and Culture Manager
Develop and implement guiding principles and an engagement plan to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Invite partner Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to be critical friends and provide honest feedback on our RAP progress
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Review current Act for Kids anti-discrimination policies and procedures
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Engage and consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members and/ or Cultural Advisors on our current anti-discrimination policies and procedures to ensure provisions are effective, current and in line with legislative requirements
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Promote and communicate to all team members our anti-discrimination policy and the effects of racism
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Educate senior leaders on the effects of racism
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
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Our Plan — Respect Our work is preventing and treating child abuse and neglect and reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. Key to our success is respecting the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements.
Action
Deliverables
Timeline
Lead Responsibility
1. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week
Review HR policies and procedures to remove barriers to team members participating in NAIDOC Week
April 2021
Executive Director, People and Culture
Promote and encourage participation in external NAIDOC events to all team members
July 2021, 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
RAP Committee to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event
July 2021, 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation
December 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Consult local Traditional Owners and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Advisors on the development and implementation of a cultural learning strategy
December 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Finalise, communicate and implement the cultural learning strategy for team members
March 2023
Executive Director, People and Culture
Develop and implement cultural induction package on Learnbook using existing resources and expertise and require mandatory completion for all board and team members
March 2023
People and Culture Manager
Ensure localised face-to-face cultural safety and competency training is available to all team members in regions
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Provide opportunities for the RAP Committee and other key leaders to participate in formal and structured cultural learning
March 2023
People and Culture Manager
2. Increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, languages, cultures, beliefs, values and deep connections to lands and waters
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Action
Deliverables
3. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities by embedding cultural protocols, cultures and languages
Develop, implement, and communicate an organisational cultural protocol document which includes Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, and promote on the Act for Kids website and on SharePoint
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Increase team member understanding of the significance of cultural protocols, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, languages, spiritual relationships, and achievements
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
September 2021
Executive Director, Service Operations
September 2021, 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Include an Acknowledgement of Country or other appropriate protocols at the commencement of important meetings Invite a local Traditional Owner or Custodian to provide a Welcome to Country or other appropriate cultural protocol at significant events each year
Lead Responsibility
Develop and display an Acknowledgment of Country and Acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in collateral, merchandise, and signage
March 2022
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Display Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and artwork in Act for Kids offices
March 2022
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Investigate and recommend practitioner use of cultural practice framework models eg. Family Wellbeing Program; Indigenous Psychological Services tools
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Ensure practitioners are trained in cultural practice frameworks
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Review practice procedures to ensure cultural practice frameworks are included
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
5. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by engaging and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events
Develop cultural events policy
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers to team members participating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events internally and externally
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Promote and encourage participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events internally and externally
August 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
6. Investigate opportunities to address cultural safety in the workplace
Research best-practice and principles that support cultural safety in the workplace
December 2021
Executive Director, People and Culture
June 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Use survey data to understand the needs and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members and to inform changes
September 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Review feedback mechanisms for team members to express cultural concerns and adjust as required. Communicate the mechanisms to express cultural concerns.
December 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
4. Embed cultural practice frameworks into Act for Kids service delivery
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
Undertake a team member survey to understand current levels of cultural safety within the workplace
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Our Plan — Opportunities Our work is preventing and treating child abuse and neglect and reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. To build capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to nurture and raise safe and happy children, we will create opportunities through sustainable employment, professional development and procurement strategies. Action
Deliverables
Timeline
Lead Responsibility
1. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development
Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities
June 2021
Executive Director, People and Culture
December 2021
Executive Director, People and Culture
March 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Ensure culturally inclusive strategies are embedded in the areas of recruitment and selection; employment practices; learning and development; performance; and professional development
October 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
Investigate sustainable employment and growth strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (eg. cadetships, internships, scholarships, external scholarship opportunities)
October 2022
People and Culture Manager
Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members to consult on our recruitment, retention and professional development strategy
Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development strategy
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Promote opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student placements
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Aim to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members to 40% of team members
March 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Aim to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board members to a minimum of two
March 2023
Chairman
Appoint a minimum of one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ambassador
March 2023
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
“We create opportunities through sustainable employment, professional development and procurement strategies.” Action
Deliverables Where possible have representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on recruitment selection panels
2. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes
3. Provide capacity building initiatives to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members at Act for Kids
MARCH 2021–MARCH 2023
Timeline
Lead Responsibility
December 2021
People and Culture Manager
Advertise job vacancies to effectively reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders
June 2021
People and Culture Manager
Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies to remove barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in our workplace
June 2022
People and Culture Manager
Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement strategy and communicate opportunities for procurement of goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to team members
March 2022
Chief Financial Officer
Review and update all procurement practices to remove barriers to procuring goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses
March 2022
Chief Financial Officer
Investigate Supply Nation membership
March 2022
Chief Financial Officer
Enable and support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander internal peer network
Ensure appropriate professional development and training opportunities are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members
September 2022
Executive Director, People and Culture
March 2023
Executive Director, People and Culture
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Our Plan — Governance Action
Deliverables
1. Maintain an effective RAP Committee
RAP committee to meet four times per year to monitor and report on the plan, including one face-to-face meeting per year
2. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments
3. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally
People and Culture Manager
Ensure RAP Committee membership is inclusive and diverse with representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
March 2022
People and Culture Manager
Develop RAP Committee Terms of Reference
March 2021
Executive Director, Service Operations
Monitor and review Terms of Reference for the RAP Committee
March 2022
Executive Director, Service Operations
Define resource needs for RAP implementation
March 2021
People and Culture Manager
Engage our senior leaders and other team members in the delivery of RAP commitments
Executive Director, Service Operations
March 2021
Chief Executive Officer
Develop and implement systems to track, measure and report on RAP activities
March 2021
People and Culture Manager
Communicate quarterly updates on RAP progress to all Act for Kids team members and Board
March 2022, 2023
Executive Director, Service Operations
Publically report our RAP achievements, challenges and learnings in the Annual Review and on our webpage
March 2022, 2023
Executive Director, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Advocacy
Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia
Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements Send draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for feedback
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March 2021, 2022, 2023
Appoint and maintain an internal RAP Champion from senior management
Participation in cultural training is embedded in Performance Development Plans
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Lead Responsibility
March 2022, 2023
Investigate participating in Reconciliation Australia’s biennial Workplace RAP Barometer
4. Review, refresh and update RAP
Timeline
30 September 2021, 2022
People and Culture Manager
January 2022
People and Culture Manager
December 2022
People and Culture Manager
October 2022
People and Culture Manager
December 2022
People and Culture Manager
INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
For more information or further enquiries, please contact:
Marion Kaiser People & Culture Manager 07 3850 3218 marion.kaiser@actforkids.com.au
actforkids.com.au
actforkids.com.au
