STARTTS Professional Development Workshop CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN WORKING WITH PEOPLE FROM REFUGEE BACKGROUNDS ONE-DAY WORKSHOP Participant’s Workbook Participant’s Notes Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) 152-168 The Horsley Dr Carramar, NSW 2163 Phone: (02) 9794 1900 Fax: (02) 9794 1910 www.startts.org.au © First version 2015 - Dr Belinda Green, Ph.D., Trainer, STARTTS © Second version 2018 – Dr Belinda Green, Ph.D., Trainer, STARTTS ISBN: 978-0-6481326-3-9 (e-book PDF and Paperback) Publisher: STARTTS Foreword STARTTS is very pleased to make the ‘Cultural competence in working with people from refugee backgrounds’ workshop manual publically available. This incredible STARTTS resource was written and rolled out by Dr Belinda Green Ph.D., STARTTS Trainer in 2015. Since then it has been delivered to hundreds of workers, volunteers and students across the settlement, health, education, community and welfare sectors. The demand for this workshop has been high and the feedback has been outstanding. The workshop was designed to fit into the widely used cultural competence paradigm, but took it much further by incorporating trauma-informed practice based on the refugee experience into the framework. Therefore the ‘working with cultural competence with people from refugee backgrounds’ framework considers the impact that torture and other traumatic experiences in the context of persecution, political conflict, organised violence and forced displacement, have on resettlement processes, understanding a new culture and finding a sense of belonging in Australian society. It also incorporates knowledge of the socio-political and cultural contexts of the main countries of origin and ethnicities of the major groups of people coming to Australia in recent years under the Humanitarian Program. The design and delivery of this workshop was commended by the Executive Director of the Health and Social Policy Branch, NSW Health, and was highlighted in the 2016 NSW Health Multicultural Policies and Services Program Report. Melanie Leemon Training Coordinator STARTTS May 2018 2 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds Principal author The principal author did the research, interviewing and writing of the content, which was reviewed and edited. Belinda Green Training Officer, STARTTS PhD Belinda has been STARTTS’ Training Officer since 2010 where she is a part of the administration, design and delivery of STARTTS’ state wide outreach education program. Belinda has also been responsible for STARTTS’ train the trainer program in supporting over 200 staff to facilitate trainings, workshops and seminars in the area of refugee trauma health and recovery, community development and cultural competency. During her time at STARTTS, Belinda has contributed to a range of training resources in the above areas. She has also done professional counselling at STARTTS. Belinda has a PhD in social anthropology, a Master of Social Work, a first class honours degree in anthropology and a Bachelor of Media majoring in journalism. Prior to her work at STARTTS Belinda worked as an academic for 10 years and has taught and conducted research for a range of universities in Australia, India and Ethiopia. In the past she has conducted applied research amongst Scheduled Caste male youth in South India, migrant Muslim women from South Western Sydney and Urban First Nations People in Western Sydney. Belinda is an international speaker and has published a variety of journal articles, book chapters and other peer reviewed materials in the former areas. Editor The editor designed the overall concept and framework, and was the principal reviewer and editor. Melanie Leemon Training Coordinator, STARTTS Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Melanie has been STARTTS’ Training Coordinator since 2008 when a dedicated training team was formed. She is responsible for the strategic direction and quality of training service delivery to resource and assist STARTTS staff and mainstream service providers to work more effectively with refugee trauma recovery. Melanie has written and designed numerous resources, manuals and educational materials for health and community workers, volunteers and consumers on issues related to refugee trauma, HIV/AIDS and hygiene and sanitation in Australia, Guatemala, Peru, Indonesia and India. Previous to coming to STARTTS she worked in international development for five years with MSF – Doctors with Borders, and a community based organisation called Ak’ Tenamit in Guatemala. Melanie has a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Bachelor of Medical Science. Melanie is committed to working with human rights and social justice issues, and has a passion for working in a cross-cultural context. 3 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds WORKSHOP SCHEDULE Time Topic 9.00am Registrations 9.30am Introduction 1. Context: Cultural Competence and Refugees Definition of Cultural Competence Importance of Cultural Competence with People from Refugee Backgrounds 10.15am 2. Awareness: Culture, Identity and Meaning Building Awareness What is Culture? What does Culture do? What is Identity? 11.25am Morning Tea 11.40 am Privilege and Power What is Representation? What is Stereotyping and Othering? Reflective Practice on Building Awareness 3. Knowledge: Refugee Trauma, Resettlement and Cultural Transition Gaining Knowledge, Refugee Worldviews Experiences of Conflict, Postcolonialism and/or Occupation 1.15pm Lunch 1.45pm Socio-Political and Cultural Context of Country of Origin Impact of Persecution and Organised Violence on Culture and Identity Resettlement, Cultural Transition and Acculturation in the Context of the Complex Interaction Impacts on Cultural Transition on Worker Client Relations Reflective Practice on Gaining Knowledge 3.15pm Afternoon tea 3.30pm 4. Attitudes and Skills: Worker Attributes and Culturally Competent Communication Attitudes and Skills, What are Key Attitudes of Cultural Competency? Communicating Effectively Creating Strong Professional Boundaries Vicarious Trauma, The Importance of Self Care Reflective Practice on Attitudes and Skills 4.30pm Close 4 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds INTRODUCTION The workshop is conducted by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). STARTTS helps refugees recover from their experiences and build a new life in Australia. We also work with other organisations and individuals to help them work more effectively with refugees. STARTTS opened in 1988 and is one of Australia’s leading organisations for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors. STARTTS’ head office is in Carramar. We also have offices in Liverpool, Auburn, Blacktown, Wollongong, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Wagga Wagga. We do outreach work at different centres around Sydney and some rural and regional areas. This one day workshop will give participants a greater awareness of the key components to cultural competency when working with refugee survivors of torture and trauma. Aims of the training . To introduce you to a model of cultural competence and its relevance to working effectively with people from refugee background who have experienced trauma . To give you knowledge and strategies on how to engage with people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds, and asylum seekers in a culturally competent manner What will be covered in the training today? The topics that will be covered today are: 1. Context: Cultural Competence and Refugees 2. Awareness: Culture and Identity 3. Knowledge: Refugee Trauma, Resettlement and Cultural Transition 4. Attitudes and Skills: Important Worker Attributes and Culturally Competent Communication This training is for one day only and therefore can only cover the key concepts of cultural competency. We recognise that people come to this workshop with a wide range of knowledge and experiences, and we endeavour to make sure that it has something for everyone. 5 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds Session 1 CONTEXT: CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND REFUGEES GROUP ACTIVITY– WHAT IS CULTURAL COMPETENCE? Please break into groups of 4 and discuss your understanding of ‘cultural competence’ and why it is important to your work? 6 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds DEFINITION OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE What is Cultural Competence? Having an awareness of the way culture and identity works. Having knowledge of the client’s background and how this may impact on their experiences of trauma, resettlement and cultural transition. Developing a particular set of worker attitudes and communication skills which can respond sensitively to the client’s needs and perspective. Awareness Knowledge Reflective Practice Skills Attitudes Taken from ©ASeTTS 2012 Reflective Practice is an important part of cultural competence. Workers need to engage in an ongoing process of identifying and challenging their own cultural assumptions and actively develop sensitive strategies to respond to diversity and difference. 7 Culltural Competence in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds What Cultural Competence Isn’t? . Stereotyping . Knowing about a particular group and using ‘recipes’ to work with all clients from that culture . Over-emphasising the importance of culture to rationalise certain behaviours and actions which could