Diversity and Inclusion at Bravehearts

Bravehearts Statement of Commitment to Cultural Safety

Bravehearts is committed to a culturally safe, respectful and inclusive environment for every child, young person, family, community member, volunteer, staff member and partner who engages with us. We recognise that culture is central to identity, wellbeing and healing; that racism, personal and institutional, causes harm; and that cultural safety is defined by the people who receive our services, not by us.

Acknowledgement

Bravehearts acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and waters on which we work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, and present, and extend respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  We hope and believe that we can move together to a place of equity, justice and partnership. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

Our commitment

We create welcoming environments across our services, workplaces and partnerships. We listen first, act on feedback, challenge inequity and racism whenever we encounter it, and hold ourselves accountable for our impact. We commit to continuous learning and improvement in our cultural safety practices.

What this looks like in practice

Service Delivery

• Prioritise the dignity, agency and cultural identity of children, young people and families in every decision
• Design and deliver services that are culturally responsive, trauma-aware and free from racism, and report openly on our progress
• Provide flexible service delivery options that accommodate cultural needs and preferences
• Ensure physical spaces reflect cultural diversity and are welcoming to all communities

Communication and Engagement

• Practice clear, respectful two-way communication and share knowledge appropriately
• Use accredited interpreters and cultural liaisons where needed
• Develop culturally appropriate resources and materials
• Recognise diversity across communities, avoid stereotypes, and uphold people’s right to live in culture and participate in cultural practices

Partnership and Self-Determination

• Support self-determination by involving people in decisions that affect them, including choice of supports and workers
• Work in genuine partnership and co-design with communities and partner organisations to develop local, culturally safe solutions
• Respect and incorporate traditional healing practices and cultural knowledge where appropriate
• Build long-term relationships with community leaders and cultural advisors

Workforce Development

• Invest in workforce education, supervision and leadership so culturally safe practice is embedded across Bravehearts
• Recruit and retain staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve
• Provide regular cultural competency training and professional development opportunities
• Establish clear policies and procedures that support culturally safe practice

Accountability and Continuous Improvement

• Report openly on our progress toward cultural safety goals
• Regularly seek feedback from service users and communities about our cultural safety practices
• Establish measurable outcomes and indicators for cultural safety
• Conduct regular reviews and assessments of our cultural safety practices with community input
• Address complaints and concerns about cultural safety promptly and transparently

Our Ongoing Journey

We acknowledge that achieving cultural safety is an ongoing journey that requires sustained commitment, resources and genuine partnership with the communities we serve. We pledge to remain humble, open to learning, and responsive to the evolving needs of all people who engage with our organisation.