Indigenous Allied Health Australia | IAHA Consulting | Cultural Responsiveness Training

IAHA Consulting delivers cultural safety training using our evidence-based Cultural Responsiveness Framework.

The highlights:

At IAHA Consulting, we have created our very own market-leading cultural safety training using our evidence-based Cultural Responsiveness Framework. We are proud of the uniqueness of this training, as it differs from others on the market. Our training focuses on action-orientated and strength-based outcomes. It is aimed at critical self-reflective practice identifying one’s impact on another. Because of this structure in our Framework, we refer to our training as Culturally Responsive Training, or more formally –  The IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Training. We deliver our training to you in three main online and blended learning stages for your ease and convenience. It is a highly interactive course that centres around three driving principles:

  1. What do we need to know; (knowing)
  2. Whom do we need to be; and (being) 
  3. How do we transform behaviours and systems to be culturally safe and responsive in meeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s needs. (doing) 

We have done extensive research on each topic to provide meaningful and relevant content. Our research is harnessed by lived experience from our highly skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander facilitators within our IAHA network.

What sets us apart:

The IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Training anchors on the “doing“:

  1. How can we build cultural safety;
  2. How can we transform and influence culturally safe and responsive care and services practically: and
  3. How can we remould and lead culturally safe and responsive action that contextualises to professionals, individuals, service providers, and/or organisations by addressing some of these critical points:
  • Provide a mechanism for culturally responsive leadership through behaviour and attitude transformation so you can better understand and act upon culturally responsive ways of knowing, being and doing.
  • Offer practical, action-based and solution-focused ways forward for you so you can improve your capability to meet the health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Be strengths-based, exploring what works and what could work better within your context; and
  • Understand cultural safety and the impact of racism on another person and how that affects their health and wellbeing.

Who is this course for:

While IAHA is a national, member-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health organisation – leading in sector workforce development and support, our primary focus is to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Accordingly, we have designed The IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Training to suit many organisations across various industries to achieve this goal. We use examples related to different health industries; however, we can tailor the course to suit your needs and circumstances. What is most important to us is that you understand the theories and work towards your own cultural experience and translate this across to others.

So if you or your organisation interacts with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people regularly or have staff or colleague who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples – so really, all of us! In that case, this course is for you! We recommend that The IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Training course be completed as a starting point to make yourself more culturally aware and your workplace a culturally safe and responsive environment.

Next steps to start the training:

We would love for you to join us, but you may still have a few burning questions. We have created a Frequently Asked Questions page to assist you, which might provide you with further clarifications. 

We also encourage you to explore our  IAHA Culturally Responsive Framework. You can email training@iaha.com.au to request a copy.

How is this training delivered?

We have broken up the learning modules into levels so you can space your learning out over a 12 month period (from the time you begin the course).   

As you start with Level 1, you learn the fundamental knowledge of cultural responsiveness. Armed and equipped to take on more, you move onto Level 2, where we take you through self-awareness practices and teach you more about the IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Framework. While Levels 1 and 2 are self-paced, we are conscious of not losing our connection with you and putting things into action, so we created Level 3.

Level 3 is a LIVE Online Workshop:

  • Option one you can sign up to one of our highly interactive Zoom workshops led by our skilled Aboriginal Facilitators. These sessions are entirely online with various dates and times to choose from throughout the year. Timetable available when you enrol. It runs for approx. 4 hours, with breaks and is an engaging interactive workshop allowing you to put everything you have learned into actionable practise. 
  • Option two if your organisation has purchased the program, often they book a specific time and date for you to attend level 3, so this would be managed by your organisaiton. Recordings are available in both options if you are unable to attend after registering. 

Are you ready? Let’s talk!

If you have more questions or would like to purchase for your organisation please email us at training@iaha.com.au.

If you would like to find out more about what is covered in Levels 1 to 3 and how to deliver it to you, click on each of the drop-down boxes below. Or head to the Frequently Asked Questions page for even more.

Level 1 - Introduction to Cultural Responsiveness

This is an essential foundation for any working professional, student or graduate who is about to be a part of the workforce or currently working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Which simply means everyone who works in this country. This online course allows you to navigate the lessons in your own time and takes you through the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how this has formed the culture of today’s generation.   This history lesson is vital for understanding the needs and views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country and why cultural safety is an integral part of creating equality in services.

This Level 1 course will also introduce you to the diversity of cultures and languages and shine a light on the variables in terminology and communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

This course is entirely online and self-paced, taking approximately 3- 4 hours to complete.

Successful completion of Level 1 is a prerequisite to Level 2 registration.

Level 2 - Unpacking the IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Framework

Level 2 course is where we begin to unpack the IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Framework developed in 2015 and revised in 2019.  This Framework is an evidence-based theory that allows you to understand what is required for change at a system level for cultural safety to be embedded into services.  We begin to unpack the “Theory of Change” and introduce you to the “6 Key Capabilities” critical in building cultural responsiveness in a workplace.

This module will begin to unpack the politics of identity and diversity of culture both for the individual and that of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which will lead us into the effects of the dominant culture around the globe.   We continue with the differences in culture and communication and how this can hinder the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people creating barriers towards accessing services.

This course is entirely online and self-paced, taking approximately 5-6 hours to complete.

Successful completion of Level 2 is a prerequisite to Level 3 registration.

Level 3 -Putting it all into Action Workshop

After successfully completing Level 1 and 2, you are now ready to put it all into action. Its one thing to learn the theory but now how does this create change in the workforce. It’s also time to discuss racism policies in the workplace and/or from an individual perspective and see what shifts need to occur to create a culturally safe working environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in every sector.

The live workshops are designed to be a safe space to discuss the reflection from Level 1 and Level 2. 

Zoom Workshops are 4 hours online (these are recorded and sent only to those who register to attend)

At the end of Level 3, you will be required to complete your personal Action Plan and submit into the training portal before receiving your certificate.