Introduction and background
One of the most consistently identified barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families accessing family support is the fear of an interventionist system, which often drives towards the removal of children without offering sufficient, culturally and trauma informed supports to families, even when families are actively reaching out for help.
Waterways Training, funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS) was announced as part of the 2021 Commonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, aims to contribute to achieving Target 12 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and action 3c in the Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031 First Action Plan (Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031).
The purpose of Waterways is to build the cultural responsiveness and the trauma informed practice of identified DSS service providers, and support their workforce with additional skills to consider when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
QATSICPP has partnered with SNAICC, Absec, VACCA and KWY and independent consultants Yamurrah, and co-designed this national training and development package. Together in partnership, our FREE two-day training will support workshop participants to unpack how the ongoing impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma continue to impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families today.
Through applying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being, and understanding the importance of self-determination, Waterways hopes to offer tools to support workshop participants ‘wise and reflective practice’ when working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
What our pilot session participants said:
“Incredibly important training – having conversations that we should’ve always been having”.
Above is the Waterways Team who delivered to Open Doors. Aunty Deb Sandy gave a very informative and localised Welcome to Country.
Is my organisation eligible?
If you are currently receiving funding in any programs that fall under the DSS Outcome areas below, you are eligible to attend the fully funded training rolling out across Australia.
DSS Outcome 2- Families and Communities
DSS Outcome 3 – Disability and Carers
DSS Outcome 4 – Housing
Meet our Waterways Training Officers:
Joanne Doyle
Jo is proud Woppaburra and Southsea Woman with ancestral connections to Great Keppel Island and Pentecost Island. Her background in early education, manager of a Child and Family Centre in Logan and her work in youth detention has led her to being a proud Waterways Training Officer.
Nicole Watego-Gilsenan
Nicole is a Nhughi woman of the Quandamooka Nation, through my maternal bloodlines to Moorgumpin and Minjerribah. Nicole is a dedicated teacher and facilitator, who recognises the importance of integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives and the impacts of trauma into creating inclusive, safe and supportive workspaces and conversations.
Arnold Simpson
Arnold has traditional connections to Kabi Kabi country, Darumbal country and links to Vanuatu as well as Irish heritage.
Arnold has years of experience in leading the training and workforce development and sees the importance of empathic and effective cultural responsiveness and trauma informed practice when responding to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Interested?
Are you interested in knowing more? Let’s yarn via waterways@qatsicpp.com.au
