Recommendation 288

This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW.

Recommendation

That all workers, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, involved in providing alcohol and other drug programs to Aboriginal people, receive adequate training. Priority training needs include:

a. Relevant cross-cultural awareness and communication training for non-Aboriginal workers such as health and welfare staff who provide services to Aboriginal people;

b. Skills training for Aboriginal alcohol and other drug treatment workers, particularly those who have recovered from alcohol problems themselves but have no formal training in the area.

Context

The Royal Commission acknowledged the need to make mainstream drug and alcohol services more accessible to aboriginal people. Recommendation 288 is directed at ensuring these programs are also staffed by appropriately skilled and trained staff. 

Details of implementation

All CSNSW program staff are trained in Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and Cultural Strengthening.

A unit of competency supporting Aboriginal cultural competency aligned to specific role requirements is embedded within the Certificate IV in Correctional Practice for:

• Custodial Case Managers and Offender Services & Programs staff (CSCOFM005 Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders); and
• Community Corrections Officers (CSCOFM028 Provide support to offenders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities).

Aboriginal SAPOs

CSNSW have 30 Aboriginal SAPOs, they have the same role description as non-Aboriginal SAPOs. They are responsible for the provision of Services and Programs to people in custody and delivery of community programs.

Locations where our Aboriginal SAPOs are located include:

• Long Bay Hospital
• MRRC
• MSPC
• Emu Plains
• Silverwater Womens
• Dillwynia
• St Heliers
• Tamworth
• Mid North Coast
• Cessnock
• Shortland
• Goulburn
• South Coast
• Hunter
• Wellington
• Bathurst
• Broken Hill

Training for staff cohorts

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training for the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre (CDTCC) is in progress.

Training is available to staff working within Correctional Centres and Community Corrections Offices who provide facilitation of the EQUIPS Addiction program and/or support case management of offenders with alcohol and other drug related needs.

Primary Training for Custodial Case Managers includes training and assessment for the unit of competency titled CSCINT003 Assist offenders to change drug and alcohol use which supports their completion of the Certificate IV in Correctional Practice. Key elements of this unit of competency include the following:

• Assisting offenders to identify their need to change; and
• Supporting offenders to meet their goals.

This above training and assessment will also be provided within the upcoming Certificate IV in Correctional Practice for new/trainee Offender Services & Programs staff.

A standalone face to face training program, Working with AOD offenders, is available to any CSNSW staff member who works with this cohort. Upon attending this training staff may select to complete the required assessment portfolio to attain the above-mentioned unit of competency.

A unit of competency supporting Aboriginal cultural competency aligned to specific role requirements is embedded within the Certificate IV in Correctional Practice for:

• Custodial Case Managers and Offender Services & Programs staff (CSCOFM005 Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait offenders); and
• Community Corrections Officers (CSCOFM028 Provide support to offenders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities).

It is also noted that the Certificate IV in Correctional Practice includes a core unit of competency titled CSCORG006 Work effectively with culturally diverse offenders and colleagues. Key elements of this unit of competency include:

• reflecting cultural awareness in work practice;
• accepting cultural diversity as a basis for effective workplace and professional    relationships;
• communicating effectively with culturally diverse persons; and
• resolving cross-cultural misunderstandings.

In addition to the above, CSNSW provides training programs that are available for all internal staff to support cultural competence. These include:

• Working with Culture and Diversity, which is a face to face course;
• the online Aboriginal Cultural Awareness short course, which is available via our Learning Management System; and
• the Cultural Competency Program developed by SBS which is available via our Learning Management System.

Management of inmates at risk of self-harm or suicide

Delivered in module 4 of the training program.

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness

Delivered by Aboriginal programs unit within the first 4 weeks of a staff member commencing their role.

This training provides the learner with knowledge regarding the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people while understanding the contemporary challenges they are facing today.  The training will enhance the learner’s communication skills in an Aboriginal context while improving their skills to identify and manage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders at risk.

The course will cover the following topics (but not limited to):

• Aboriginal culture and protocols
• Historical events that have impacted on First Nations people
• Intergenerational trauma and impact on First Nations people today
• Stereotypes
• Current statistics
• The criminal justice system and how it impact on First Nations people
• Closing the Gap and Royal Commission into Aboriginal Death in Custody
• Improved engaging with First Nations people in custody and on community-based orders.

The aim of the course is for the learner to gain an understanding of Australian Aboriginal history and culture. It will highlight historical government interventions and policies that continue to impact First Nations people today.  The learner will gain an appreciation of the contemporary challenges First Nations people are facing today and how these challenges influence the way Corrective Services engage with First Nations people. The training aims to enhance the learners cultural competency with a focus on communication, engagement and rapport building skills, in a First Nations context of being, doing and knowing.

The trainer also has the discretion to raise any culturally inappropriate behaviour which will raise further escalation actions.

Working with Culture and Diversity

The Working with Culture and Diversity course is a blended learning program that aims to explore respectful strategies to work with and overcome barriers amongst offenders and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

There are two parts to this course:

Learners are required to complete the online learning component prior to attending the face-to-face training.

The online component covers:

• key definitions, legislation, policies and procedures and justice values,
• how to work with specific groups including Culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, refugees/immigrants and various religious and spiritual beliefs.

The face-to-face training has a strong operational focus with key speakers and a consolidation of the learning with practical scenarios and strategies to effectively work with diversity and culture in the custodial and community setting. 

Trauma informed practice

This course is specifically designed for people who work directly with those who have experienced (or are highly likely to have experienced) trauma.

Trauma informed practices can assist in minimising the chances of an inmate/offender being re – traumatised whilst in the care of Corrective Services New South Wales (CSNSW), and by incorporating the trauma informed principles into daily interactions it can assist with the creation of a more rehabilitative environment.

This course is not designed to give people the skills and knowledge to treat trauma, however being trauma informed is about knowing how to identify trauma to better respond and refer appropriately.

This workshop will cover the following;

• Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice
• Understanding the nature and impact of trauma
• Recognition of safety
• Healing and recovery
• Responding to disclosure
• Vicarious trauma
• Emotional Survival

Doing the right thing-workplace ethics

Workplace Ethics - Doing the Right Thing course is designed to take employees through the different aspects of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Code of Ethical Conduct and how it applies to Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW).

At the end of this course, the learner will be competent in the knowledge and skill required to:

• Identify the DCJ Code of Ethical Conduct

• Understand what a conflict of interest is and how to avoid it

• Describe your responsibilities in relation to conduct and ethics

• Explain how to identify the CSNSW guidelines to conduct and ethics 

• Behave in a professional manner

• Understand how to report conduct and ethical issues.

Bullying and Harassment

This course has been designed to provide staff with an understanding of bullying and harassment, the types of behaviour that should be avoided and what staff can do if bullying or harassment is occurring in their workplace. It includes:

• types of bullying and harassment behaviours
• identifying bullying and harassment
• the effects of bullying and harassment
• responsibilities, and what actions can be taken
• Serious Incident assessments
• Conflict Management scenario-Aboriginal focused
• Self-harm scenario-Aboriginal focused

Additionally, Community Corrections is currently delivering a program of work to improve performance in Community Corrections for Aboriginal people and communities. Under this program of work, Community Corrections is trialling different approaches to improving the Aboriginal cultural competency and local understanding of Community Corrections staff. Specific projects include:

• Local Aboriginal Cultural Engagement (LACE) Strategy in North NSW District which is led by a Project Officer and a steering group that includes ACECOs to provide frontline staff with localised knowledge and expertise and an opportunity to learn and Connect to Country in their local areas. This training commenced in 2022. LACE focuses on localised information, events, protocols and putting the knowledge into practical application, whilst incorporating cultural immersion. The being, doing and knowing in action. LACE is currently being piloted in 5 locations.
• Western NSW District is currently recruiting an Aboriginal identified Project Officer to lead local work and are investigating local Cultural Awareness Programs for frontline staff

Addiction Support Groups and Lived experience

While CSNSW values people with lived experience, there are security considerations that are accounted for as a result of prisons being a secure correctional environment. However, the following addiction support groups listed below are run by individuals with lived experiences:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Addiction support groups can be facilitated for un-sentenced and sentenced offenders. They do not require a risk rating or suitability assessment.