Our Cultural Connections Workshop helps child protection practitioners, agency staff and foster carers support Aboriginal children in care through effective cultural planning.
Upcoming workshops for 2020
All workshops run from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Morning tea and lunch are provided.
We recommend booking early, as workshops are capped at 20 participants in order to provide our attendees with the most valuable experience. In cases where bookings do not meet the minimum number of 10 participants, unfortunately we are forced to postpone the workshop. In this rare event we will contact participants directly and offer a full refund.
| Workshop Location | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| GUNNEDAH | Thur 6 August 2020 | TBA |
| LIGHTENING RIDGE | Tues 11 August 2020 | TBA |
| WALGETT | Thur 13 August 2020 | TBA |
| NOWRA | Tues 18 August 2020 | TBA |
| NEWCASTLE | Thur 20 August 2020 | TBA |
| COFFS HARBOUR | Tues 25 August 2020 | TBA |
| LISMORE | Tues 1 September 2020 | TBA |
| BALLINA | Thur 3 September 2020 | TBA |
| SYDNEY | Tues 8 September 2020 | TBA |
| NELSON BAY | Thur 10 September 2020 | TBA |
| WENTWORTH | Thur 17 September 2020 | TBA |
| ORANGE | Tues 29 September 2020 | TBA |
| DENILIQUIN | Tues 6 October 2020 | TBA |
| WAGGA WAGGA | Thur 8 October 2020 | TBA |
| CONDOBOLIN | Tues 13 October 2020 | TBA |
| PARKES | Thur 15 October 2020 | TBA |
| YAMBA | Tues 20 October 2020 | TBA |
| CASINO | Thur 22 October 2020 | TBA |
| LITHGOW | Tues 27 October 2020 | TBA |
| PENRITH | Tues 3 November 2020 | TBA |
(If you choose this option, you will be redirected offsite to our ticketing platform TryBooking)
(If you choose this option, please note that your registration will not be confirmed until payment has been received in full.)
Please note: All booked participants will be informed of the workshop venue closer to the date of the event. Payment must be made in full, 7 business days prior to the workshop date.
About cultural connections
Culture is central to the long-term safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people.
Every Aboriginal child has the right to maintain their cultural identity. Preserving contact with family, kin, community and Country has been shown to help Aboriginal children through psychological and emotional development.
It is a requirement in NSW that all Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care must have a Cultural Care Plan and a Cultural Support Plan. Our goal is to assist you to create comprehensive and effective plans, resulting in stronger, healthier and happier children and young people.
Your responsibilities and how we can help
As a practitioner responsible for an Aboriginal child or young person’s care, it’s up to you to ensure they grow up feeling strong and secure in their culture. We can equip you with the skills and knowledge to create effective Cultural Care Plans and Cultural Support Plans, giving children in your care a holistic upbringing in culture.
Cultural Care Plans and Cultural Support Plans are compulsory documents that must be created for every Aboriginal child or young person in out-of-home care. They aim to maintain the child or young person’s cultural identity, connection and sense of belonging to family, community and Country while they are in out-of-home care.
These plans are living documents that detail actions, roles and responsibilities outlining how a child or young person will participate in cultural support activities, events and programs while they are in care.
In our one-day workshop, our Aboriginal staff will guide you through how to create meaningful and achievable cultural planning, and how to put it into practice. We’ll also build interpersonal skills to help you consult with Aboriginal families and communities; maintaining these relationships is central to forming complete and effective cultural support plans, and gaining the important input of all key figures in a child’s life.
Our promise to you: you will leave our workshop feeling confident and equipped to support the Aboriginal children or young people in your care.
We recommend that you come back for follow-up training every 18 months to refresh your skills and seek answers to any areas of confusion or concern. Cultural Support Plans need to be reviewed at least every 12 months, so this is an area of your training that will be called upon regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Who should attend this workshop?
This workshop is recommended for all child protection practitioners who work with Aboriginal children and young people, as well as foster carers and others who have Aboriginal minors in their care.
How much does the workshop cost?
The price is $250 per person, and includes two resource booklets that you can take with you after the course, as well as a light lunch. If you would like to book in a group of participants, please contact us for rates.
If you need to change or cancel your booking, please do so well in advance of the workshop. Unfortunately we are unable to offer exchanges or refunds within a week of the scheduled booking.
How many people will be in my workshop?
All workshops are capped at 20 people.
Can I book a workshop for my workplace or carers’ group?
Yes, we welcome group bookings and are happy to deliver the workshop at a location convenient to you. Please contact us for any group booking enquiries.
Will I receive any qualification or certificate after completing the workshop?
AbSec will provide you with a certificate of learning at the completion of the Cultural Connections Workshop. The workshop is not part of any formal qualification.
Who will be running the workshop?
Workshops are facilitated by AbSec staff, who are experts in Aboriginal child protection and wellbeing. Many of our staff members have previously worked in front-line roles in the statutory child protection system and out-of-home care, so they understand your role and the context you work in. They are able to approach cultural planning from a strategic perspective, but also with an understanding of the realities of working day-to-day in the field.
Do I need to know how to create a Cultural Care Plan and Cultural Support Plan?
If you’re responsible for the care or case management of an Aboriginal child or young person in out-of-home care, it is vital that you feel confident in cultural planning. This is a mandatory element of Aboriginal child protection in NSW, and an essential means of supporting Aboriginal children and young people to grow up with a strong sense of belonging and identity.
Who can I contact if I have further questions after the workshop?
Ensuring the wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people is a top priority for us at AbSec, and we are here to support you through the journey of bringing up our kids.
Caseworkers and other practitioners are welcome to call our office at any time on (02) 9559 5299 or email admin@absec.org.au.
Our Carer Support Service on 1800 888 698 is a free phone line providing information and support to carers.
What hours are the workshops?
All workshops will start with registration at 9:30am.
Workshops start promptly at 10am and finish at 4pm.
Morning tea and lunch are provided.
Target audience?
We are targeting practitioners who are working with Aboriginal children and young people.
Private group bookings
Please contact us directly to discuss organising a private workshop for your group or office. Prices are as follows:
1. Group 10–20 people: $5,000
2. Group 21–25 people: $6,000
3. Group 26–30 people: $7,000
Subsidies
While we recognise that organisations have a strict budget, we know the investment in this workshop will benefit your team. Therefore we are unable to provide any subsidies.
Payment methods
As per the registration form, payment can be made via credit card, EFT or AbSec can provide an invoice.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
A Registration is not confirmed until payment has been made. Payment must be made in full, seven business days prior to the workshop date.
We understand that circumstances may change which have an effect on your ability to attend events that have been booked and paid for.
Should your attendance plans change the following will apply:
Name change
A substitute delegate can be nominated to attend in your place at any time up to 24 hours prior to the start of the event. There is no fee for a change in delegate name up to this point.
All name changes must be advised in writing by emailing publications@absec.org.au.
Cancellation
Cancellations with a full refund will be accepted up to seven business days prior to the date of the workshop.
Cancellations less than seven business days will attract a cancellation fee equal to 30% of the workshop cost. Cancellations received the day before, the day of, or after will not be eligible for a refund.
Absec reserves the right to cancel a scheduled workshop and when possible notify all registered attendees not later than seven business days prior to the commencement of the workshop. AbSec will transfer registered attendees to another date or provide a full refund.
Don’t see your question answered above? Feel free to call AbSec on (02) 9559 5299 to speak to one of our friendly staff.