Berry Street Web Docs Berry Street Aboriginal Plan

Berry
Street
Aboriginal
Plan
2009-2012

We never give up

Our Vision

Our Beliefs And Assumptions

Berry Street believes all Aboriginal
children should have a good childhood,
growing up in families and communities
where they feel safe, nurtured and have
hope for the future.

■ Berry

Berry Street Is Committed To
Promoting and supporting Aboriginal self
determination and enhancing the capacity of
Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations
to deliver services to their people.
■ Working in respectful partnership with
Aboriginal organisations and Communities.
■ Supporting Aboriginal organisations and
Communities to secure the resources they
need for child and family welfare services,
including prevention and early intervention
services.
■ Providing high quality services to Aboriginal
children and families.
■ Delivering services that are culturally
competent, aware, respectful and responsive.
■ Providing a culturally safe workplace and
service environments.
■ Advocating for better health, education and
welfare outcomes for Aboriginal children and
families.
■ Understanding the significance of intergenerational trauma in the lives of Aboriginal
children, families and Communities.
■

Street apologises to the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia
for injustices suffered as a result of European
settlement and the forced removal of children
from their families, Communities and land.
■ Berry Street recognises the importance of
understanding the past. We know the past
will impact on our relationships with
Aboriginal organisations and Communities and
influence our current practice when working
with Aboriginal people.
■ Berry Street respects the fundamental
importance of cultural traditions, beliefs and
connectedness to land for Aboriginal families
and Communities.
■ Berry Street acknowledges the urgent need to
address Aboriginal disadvantage and,
in particular, to:
■ close the life expectancy gap;
■ address poverty;
■ eliminate family violence;
■ improve literacy and numeracy levels and
educational attainment; and
■ reduce the over-representation of
Aboriginal children and young people
in out of home care.
■ All Berry Street staff and carers should be
culturally sensitive, aware and competent.
■ Berry Street’s funding submissions will, where
relevant: focus on the needs of Aboriginal
people; involve partnerships with the
Aborignal organisation; and/or seek
the support of Aboriginal communities.