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Aboriginal Community Response refers to a universal support system that seeks to strengthen networks of care and optimise community supports so that children can thrive. This includes providing support to reduce sources of stress, support responsive relationships and strengthen core life skills (1), delivered through a culturally embedded service system that is designed and delivered by Aboriginal people. They are the primary supports offered within an inclusive, child safe community.
Aboriginal Community Response services are embedded within communities, are accessible to families and are responsive to the needs of Aboriginal families. Services are expected to build and maintain strong partnerships as part of a local integrated service system providing holistic, culturally embedded supports. This includes strong relationships with Aboriginal communities and local Aboriginal governance processes.
Services within Aboriginal Community Response are offered on a voluntary basis with the free, prior and informed consent of the family or young person following a request for assistance. They also provide a safety net for step-down support from more intensive supports.
Aboriginal Community Response provides a ‘no wrong door’ intake approach that encompasses a broad range of supports including, but not limited to:
The service that is the first point of contact for families or the child and young person takes on a lead role in service coordination as a key worker (2) The key worker:
Aboriginal Community Response services are provided to children, young people and families through self-referral and outreach activities or from more intensive services as part of a step-down response. Referral processes are:
Key workers are expected to support an integrated response in partnership with other local services as needed.
Aboriginal Support Plans are established through Aboriginal Family-led Decision Making processes where agreed to by families, empowering families to set their own goals, priorities and action plans. Aboriginal Family-led Decision Making occurs at the point of developing the support plan, and at review points, identifying achievements, changes to goals or priorities, or additional supports required.
The key worker works with the young person or family to establish a support plan to:
Services are responsible to provide active assistance to families and communities, supporting them to overcome barriers in accessing community supports and services by a pro-active and flexible approach to improving service visibility and accessibility. For example:
27 Feb 2023