Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland Chloe Agale Occupational therapist – Remote Area Housing Service Centre

14th National Rural Health Conference

Remote Area Housing Service Centre

Service background • The Department of Housing and Public Works provides housing-specific

occupational therapy services to remote communities located within Far North Queensland.

• These services are funded by the Federal Government as part of the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH)

• The aim of NPRH is to “close the gap” between indigenous and non-indigenous populations by addressing housing related issues (e.g. overcrowding, homelessness and poor standard of housing)

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Scope of OT service • Service delivery to remote Indigenous communities in Far North

Queensland has been developed over the past 10 years by occupational therapists who provide a fly in/fly out (FIFO) service from Cairns.

• 2 Occupational therapists currently provide housing-specific services to clients living within remote Indigenous communities throughout Cape York, the Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Straits.

• The service provides professional advice and expertise in the areas of:

- Home modifications - Housing needs assessments - Purpose built new construction projects - Allocations

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Map of remote communities

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Clientele • Our clientele primarily consists of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people.

• We review clients who range in age; however, the majority of referrals received are typically for older adults.

• At least 30 different traditional owner groups are located within our catchment area.

• English may be a second language for some of our clients. Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

How do we provide a culturally-responsive housing service to our clients?

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Identifying and acknowledging the cultural background of our clients • Each community consists of different traditional owner groups that have their

own unique cultural practices, identities and, in most cases, languages. • In response to this we:

– Complete community-specific inductions; – Continue to actively seek knowledge in regards to the cultural identity,

history and relevant practices of each community; – Adapt service delivery specific to suit the cultural needs of the individual

community and/or client.

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Recognising family as a key part of the therapy process

• Family members frequently become stakeholders within the therapy process as they often play a key role in caring for the client.

• As a means of recognising and valuing the role of family members, therapists will: – Include family members within the assessment

process and during any subsequent discussions (where appropriate);

– Ensure housing solutions facilitate any support provided by family members.

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Respecting cultural protocols • Each community will have a set cultural protocols

which will influence the way a client will interact with others and their environment as well as the activities they perform.

• In order to provide a responsive service, cultural protocols need to be understood and observed by service providers.

• As a means of respecting cultural protocols, therapists: – Actively seek information regarding protocols that

are specific to the community and client; – Observe cultural protocols when engaging with

clients and the community; – Providing flexible assessment options and housing

solutions.

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Supporting the use of traditional languages • Clients may continue to communicate using traditional

languages or in creole; with English being a secondary language.

• As a means of supporting the client’s use of traditional languages or creole, therapists will: – Use family or other local service providers as

translators when completing assessments or holding discussions with clients;

– Use visual aids during home visits (e.g. basic diagrams, pictures of home modifications, etc.);

– Model movements or use appropriate gestures to support verbal dialogue (e.g. tap grab rail when referring to it, demonstrate transfer techniques, etc.).

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Respecting cultural boundaries • Some communities may contain cultural boundaries;

which influence areas of the community that are culturally appropriate for the client to reside in or visit.

• As a means of respecting cultural boundaries, we: – Consider modifying a client’s existing home instead

of transferring them to a vacant accessible home in a suitable location;

– Consider the impact of cultural boundaries when identifying suitable applicants for vacant homes;

– Ensure that we seek permission before travelling to community and are aware of culturally sensitive sites.

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

Acknowledging traditional ties to the client’s home or community

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

• Clients will maintain strong ties to their home and the community in which they reside.

• As a means of respecting these ties, therapists will: – Ensure that traditional ties to the land are

considered when identifying potential housing solutions (e.g. looking at modifications to existing home instead of transfer);

– Try to ensure traditional ties are maintained when relocating clients;

– Considering what modifications are required to support a client to remain in community.

Summary “How Australia treats Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a mark of us as a nation. How

we as health professionals work to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will inform all of our work in health” - RACGP, 2010

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland

ANY QUESTIONS?

Providing culturally responsive housing solutions to remote communities in Far North Queensland