Ted Noffs Foundation
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2015 -2017
Our vision for reconciliation
Ted Noffs vision for reconciliation is an Australia that truly honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Australia’s First Peoples,
fully appreciating and embracing the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s histories, cultures and customs. We believe in an
Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples achieve their full potential on the basis of dignity, respect and equal opportunity.
We recognise the interdependent nature of the relationships between all diverse cultural groups that make up the peoples of Australia and
believe that each group’s contribution is essential to the health and wellbeing of our society as a whole.
Ted Noffs acknowledges the unique barriers affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who experience drug addiction and or
mental health issues and also those facing their families. As an organisation we are working to do our part to reduce the disparity in all aspects
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of health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community.
Our business
The Ted Noffs Foundation was founded by the great Australian humanitarian, Reverend Ted Noffs, in 1970. During his remarkable career
of pioneering initiatives for young people, Ted Noffs established Sydney’s first 24 hour crisis centre in 1968 and set up the first Drug Referral
Centre in Sydney in 1967. Ted Noffs also co-founded the Aboriginal Affairs Foundation in 1962 and was the co-founder of Lifeline in 1963.
The Ted Noffs Foundation today continues the legacy of Ted Noffs by providing essential services for young people (and their
families) that are experiencing drug and alcohol vulnerabilities and or related trauma. We provide a range of government endorsed
programs and services based on leading research which are continually evaluated.
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PALM - the Program for Adolescent Life Management - residential programs of up to three months for young people experiencing serious
barriers to alcohol and substance abuse. This program is provided in five locations around Australia.
CALM – is an up to 3 year continuing life management care program providing a range of community based therapeutic services including
individual and family counselling, life skills development and educational and vocational programs. It also serves as the after-care
module of PALM.
.Noffs provides out-client counselling for young people and their families including in schools. Programs include Indigenous workshops
and counselling.
Noffs runs a variety of support groups and other services for families and carers.
Noffs runs the Street University, a free educational, artistic and recreational centre for young people. We have Street Universities in
Liverpool, Mount Druitt, Queensland and Canberra.
Noffs is committed to being a source of information and advice to Government and care providers.
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Noffs is a leader in researching and evaluating new programs
Noffs is an advocate for best practice in drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services.
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The Ted Noffs Foundation’s programs are not band-aid solutions. They are comprehensive life management programs, designed to
equip young people in need with the skills to better manage their own lives. In essence – to help provide individuals to live a more
healthy and productive life.
The Ted Noffs Foundation is a secular organisation, and is not affiliated with any religious group or organisation. We have units in Sydney
(Randwick, Mount Druitt, Liverpool, Canberra and in South East Queensland. We currently employ 109 staff, 7 of whom are of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander origin.
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Our RAP
The Ted Noffs Foundation has had a long working history of involvement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and
communities. In 1962 Ted Noffs was the founder and first president of the Foundation of Aboriginal Affairs and in 1965 Ted Noffs with Charlie
Perkins organised the ‘Freedom Ride’. Currently, the Ted Noffs Foundation continues a strong working relationship with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples carrying on the legacy of Ted Noffs in all of our business.
All our services have a proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people utilising services, including some Ted Noffs units working
primarily within the First Australian community. We also have several services specifically developed to support young Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples and their families.
The Ted Noffs Foundation recognises the importance of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledging our long
involvement in supporting Australia’s First Peoples. We are committed to continuing the development of our ongoing relationship through the
implementation, learning and achievements of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The development of our Plan was coordinated by a RAP Working Group consisting of members of the Ted Noffs Vocational Education Forum and
will be overseen by our RAP Champion Julie Dubuc, manager of The Street University Mount Druitt. The members of the RAP working team
include Julie Dubuc, Aaron Saunders (Indigenous AFC Counsellor and Assistant Manager of Counselling Programs), Caressa Sengstock (cultural
workshop facilitator) and Taryn Beatty (cultural workshop facilitator) from Mt Druitt; Bryan Duke (Take Hold Program Coordinator) and Luke
Platten (AODW) from Canberra, Roueida Maskaleh from Liverpool, Leo Wright and Vincent Cram from Randwick and Melanie Bates and Steven
Fleury from Queensland . There are five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff on the RAP Working Group.
Input into our RAP came from all Ted Noffs units, staff, executive and the Leadership Team. Ted Noffs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
staff had input into the Plan and have consulted with an Aboriginal Consultant for ongoing input and advice. Also, as part of the development of
our RAP, we engaged with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community stakeholders with whom each of our units work with for further input
and consultation, in which we received invaluable support and guidance into the formulation of our Plan.
In finalising our RAP development, the Ted Noffs Board provided direction, oversight and approval to getting our plan to where it now stands and
is supportive to ensuring its implementation.
Our RAP process of evolution has been longer and more involved than we initially anticipated. That said each hurdle in our progress brought
further learning and therefore an improvement in the overall plan. More than anything it brought home to the group the realisation that
reconciliation is a long term commitment and that we will have many more exciting milestones and achievements to come.
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Relationships
Essential to any capacity to heal is the willingness to develop healthy relationships by everyone involved. A core element of healthy
relationships is respect, in order that Ted Noffs can work in a healthy therapeutic manner with all the young people in our care we
need to respect and acknowledge all of the community from which we derive our sustenance. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples carry and represent a unique, vital and essential capacity and character of the Australian community. Respect for these
community attributes and for those who engender them is a rock on which all the young people in our care can heal, and it is vital
in the healing of all Aboriginal and Torres strait islander young peoples who turn to us. Ted Noffs continues to believe in fostering
respectful relationships as a basis for the creation of cultural, spiritual and economic capacities for First Australian Peoples, staff
and community at large.
Focus area 1: Fostering engagement in reconciliation across all the Ted Noffs units and increasing external engagement with First
Australian Peoples.
Action
1.1 Ted Noffs RAP Working Group (RWG)
actively monitors RAP development,
including implementation of actions,
tracking progress and reporting.
Responsibility
Manager of Street
University Mount
Druitt – (RAP
Champion
Timeline
November 2015
March, June,
September
RAP Working Group
December 2016
and 2017
Deliverable
Ted Noffs RWG oversees the development,
endorsement and launch of the RAP.
Meet at least 4 times per year to monitor and
report on RAP implementation.
December 2017
1.2 Celebrate and encourage all Ted
Noffs staff and residents to participate in
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) to
promote building stronger relationship
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples and other Australians.
Chief Executive
Officer,
Operations
Officer,
Leadership
Team, and all
Unit Managers.
27th May – 3rd June
2016 and 2017
Ensure Ted Noffs RWG is membership consists
of members of the Leadership team, Life
Management Co-Coordinators from each unit,
Ted Noffs Aboriginal Consultant and Aboriginal
and or Torres Strait Islander Staff at all times.
Organise and distribute NRW calendar of events
throughout Ted Noffs via email to all staff
Encourage all Ted Noffs staff to participate in
community NRW events/activities.
Organise at least one internal NRW event each
4
year.
1.3 Strengthen connections with the local
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
organisation, Elders and community
members to increase collaborative
working engagement. .
Chief Executive
Officer,
Operations
Officer,
Leadership
Team, and all
Unit Managers.
April 2016
Investigate in establishing new partnerships and
utilising initiatives for the development of Ted
Noffs services.
April 2016 and
2017
Scope and develop a plan to:
- capture data base data on engagement
with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander community, organisations and
stakeholders
- Record of engagements and activities
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
organisations and stakeholders.
- Implement mechanism to ensure regular
communication is maintained with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
organisations and stakeholders.
April, November
2016 and 2017
Each Ted Noffs units to organise at least two
meetings per year with reconnect local
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
organisations and stakeholders to build stronger
relationships, foster new business and to
establish new partnerships. (Senior Alcohol and
Other Drugs Worker at Palm Randwick Sydney to
oversee the organisations of these meetings.)
February 2017
Investigate establishing MOU agreements with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aboriginal
Medical Services (AMS’s) in key Ted Noffs
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service areas
May 2017
Investigate opportunities for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health professionals to
engage with clients and involvement in Ted
Noffs programs
November 2017
Build strong and beneficial alliances with key
sector leaders in “Closing the Gap” initiatives
November 2017
1.4 Strengthen relationships with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
young people accessing Ted Noffs
programs and ensuring cultural
appropriate service delivery needs are
addressed
Program
Manager, Quality
Improvement
Reviews
Coordinator & all
Unit Managers.
1.5 Promote Ted Noffs RAP and
commitment to reconciliation through
published marketing materials and online
content.
Fundraising
Manager,
Marketing &
Development
Manager, and
Information
Manager.
Encourage Ted Noffs staff to participate in
activities such as EORA college open
days/celebrations, (Indigenous AFC Counsellor and
Assistant Manager of Counselling Programs to
oversee this.)
October 2016
Develop and implement a plan to ensure case
treatment plans include resources that are
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
specific and culturally appropriate
March 2016
Provide a presentation on the RAP to all Ted
Noffs staff
April 2016
Upload RAP to public website and intranet of an
electronic copy of the RAP
April 2016
Provide published Ted Noffs RAP to
Reconciliation Australia for RAP registration and
uploading to website
April 2016 and
Present and promote the Ted Noffs RAP to all
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2017
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staff, including at staff inductions/orientations
Respect
The basis for a healing conversation is respect, respect as an activity. Once enacted the activity of respect grows and so does
mutual understanding. Out of an understanding of the cultures, land, and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples our organisation can reflect on our practice and take pride in and utilise the gifts that respect brings. This practice
has the ability to increase Ted Noffs’ therapeutic capacity for dealing with the specific issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander young peoples. Respect for the diversity within our society enhances and strengthens our sense of mutuality.
Focus area: Demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures through our actions, words and
commitments.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Deliverable
2.1 Engage employees in
Chief Executive
April 2016
Ensure all Ted Noffs significant
understanding the protocols around
Officer,
events/launches include a Welcome to Country
Acknowledgement of Country and
Operations
by local Traditional Owner Elder.
Welcome to Country to ensure there is Officer,
shared meaning.
Leadership Team, August 2016
In consultation with local Traditional Owners
and all Unit
and Ted Noffs Aboriginal Cultural Facilitators,
Managers.
review and update Ted Noffs protocol
document outlining the processes for ‘Welcome
to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement of Country
and disseminate throughout the organisation.
August 2016
Develop and implement a policy to ensure an
Acknowledgement of Country is provided at the
commencement of all important
meetings/events such as annual Clinical Forum,
Leadership and Board meetings.
November 2017
Encourage individual Ted Noffs units with
specific programs and meetings with Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples include an
Acknowledgment of Country (i.e. community
lunches, staff meetings).
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2.2 Engage employees in cultural
learning to increase
understanding and respect for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people’s histories,
cultures and achievements.
Human Resources
Manager
All Unit Managers
RAP Coordinator
Training,
L and D Manager
October 2016
April 2016 and
2017
2.3 Celebrate NAIDOC Week and
provide the opportunity for Ted Noffs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
employees to engage with their
culture and community through
All Unit
Managers;
RAP Working
Group
Develop and pilot a cultural awareness training
strategy for Ted Noffs In particular, provide
opportunities for RWG members, RAP
Champions, HR managers and other key
leadership to participate in training.
CALM/PALM Internal Training on cultural
awareness completed by staff. A free course
Indigenous Studies: Australia & New Zealand
through Open2Study.
May 2016
In the Ted Noffs Training Schedule and
Induction, staff and volunteers to sign off that
they have read and understood our RAP.
May 2016
Upload Ted Noffs RAP onto the internal Moodle
site and communicate to all staff of its location
(Moodle currently in progress update).
November 2017
Continue to seek funding and free funding for
ongoing cultural learning training
opportunities.
July 2016 and
2017
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Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander employees to
participate in local NAIDOC Week events.
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Encourage all Ted Noffs units to host an
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NAIDOC Week events.
internal NAIDOC Week event and or
participate in local NAIDOC Week
celebrations.
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Establish a NAIDOC Week an annual video
production of workshops in sharing with
community and schools. (Workshops
conducted and presented by Ted Noffs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff)
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Record staff participation in external
program scheduled events such as NAIDOC
Week and provide to RAP Working Group for
inclusion into meeting minutes.
Opportunities
The reconnection of a healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young person within a supportive community is one of the
primary goals of our work at Ted Noffs. This healthy reconnection is an indicator of the success of the wide range of the therapeutic
interventions we employ in our practice. We believe engagement in meaningful work is the pillar on which this stands. Increasing
sustainable opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities are imperative to the success of this
task. We are committed to developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff as best practice practitioners and underscores their
capacity to work effectively with all young people and particularly their own culture.
Focus area: Proactive employment, skill development and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at all levels of the
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organisation.
Action
3.1 Investigate opportunities within Ted
Noffs to increase Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employment opportunities.
Responsibility
All Ted Noffs
Site Managers,
Human Resources
Manager
Timeline
October 2016
Deliverable
 Review HR procedures and policies to
ensure barriers to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employees can be addressed.
May 2017
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Engage with existing Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander staff to consult on
employment strategies, including
professional development.
June 2017
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Pilot different approaches to increasing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
employment within Ted Noffs including
training pathways, apprenticeships,
internships, cadetships, work experience.
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Advertise all vacancies at Ted Noffs in
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media
such as Koori Mail, Our Mob and National
Indigenous Times.
Review procurement policies barriers to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
businesses are able to be addressed.
August 2017
3.2 Investigate opportunities to
increase Aboriginal and Torre Strait
Islander supplier diversity within Ted
Noffs .
All Unit
Managers;
RAP Working
Group
February 2017
June 2017
June 2017
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Develop a plan for Ted Noffs to publically
promote business opportunities available to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
businesses.
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Review and reform procurement strategy,
policy and processes so that supplier
diversity principles can be incorporate into
Ted Noffs procurement strategy.
June 2017
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Investigate becoming a member of Supply
Nation or partnering with a local Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Chamber of
Commerce.
June 2017
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Educate staff about engaging with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
businesses.
September 2017
3.3 Evaluate Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander youth participation
All Unit
Managers;
RAP Working
Group
April 2016 and
2017
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Develop at least one commercial
relationship with an Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander business.
Scope, develop and implement a plan to
evaluate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
youth participation in Ted Noffs programs and
services to inform future initiatives and or
strategies
Tracking progress and reporting
Action
4.1 Report achievements,
challenges and learnings to
Reconciliation Australia for
inclusion in the Annual Impact
Measurement Report.
4.2 Ownership and participation of
Ted Noffs RAP
4.3 Regular reporting to Ted Noffs Board
on progress and implementation of RAP
Report.
4.4 Review, update and refresh Ted
Noffs RAP
Responsibility
All Unit
Managers;
and RAP Working
Group
All Unit
Managers; RAP
Working Group
RAP Coordinator;
RAP Working
Group
All Unit
Managers; RAP
Working Group
Timeline
September 2016
and 2017
Deliverable
Complete and submit the RAP Impact
Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation
Australia annually.
April 2016
Ensure RAP is a standing agenda item at all
Board, Leadership Team, Unit Staff and Team
Meetings.
April 2016
RAP discussed at each Unit’s development days
with clients, staff and stakeholders encouraged
to have input into guiding implementation of
RAP.
June 2016
Communicate and distribute a copy of the Ted
Noffs RAP to all staff, Board members and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
stakeholders through Moodle/SharePoint.
December 2016
and 2017
Provide quarterly written RAP progress and
implementation is reports to Ted Noffs Board
for input and advice
December 2016
and 2017
Ensure RAP progress, implementation and
achievements are included into Ted Noffs
Annual Report.
May 2017
Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop
a new RAP based on achievements and key
learnings from this RAP.
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October 2017
Contact details
Julie Dubuc; Manager; 0404087416; [email protected]
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Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation for review
and formal endorsement.