Elements and Performance Criteria
- Engage with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people and their families
- Communicate appropriately with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people and their families to develop trust and professional relationships
- Apply knowledge of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people in the youth justice system to identify particular needs
- Discuss with the young person and family specific cultural and community characteristics and/or expectations that may assist with supporting the young person
- Use a variety of sources to obtain information about the cultural needs of the young person
- Provide opportunities for the young person and their family to obtain further information
- Communicate and manage information about the young person
- Demonstrate consideration and understanding of ethical practices and cultural protocols for obtaining and sharing information about the young person
- Follow relevant organisation policies and procedures for communication strategies to be used with diverse groups and individuals
- Provide interpreter and/or translator services for families where this will assist communication
- Identify issues requiring mandatory notification and report to supervisor and/or an appropriate authority
- Use information obtained about the young person's cultural identity to inform case plans and activities
- Support families and kinship networks to remain in contact with young people
- Consult with the family and kinship networks of young people to identify practical assistance needed to maintain contact with young person
- Access resources to support family contact with young person in custody
- Determine any potential barriers to communication for young people and their families and support the maintenance of communication
- Recognise the importance of whole of community in supporting and caring for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people
- Encourage family participation in case planning
- Represent the needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people to others in the organisation
- Identify and convey the cultural needs of the young person to other staff and agencies
- Encourage families to convey any specific needs of the young person to relevant staff
- Seek cultural expertise for suggestions on how to make the environment sensitive to cultural needs
- Observe and report any risk factors for self-harm
- Source and provide information on other services that can support the family and young person