Service context and logistics

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Executive summary

There are a number of inter-related issues and considerations in relation to remote service delivery in the NT. These include, but are not limited to:

the transient nature of staffing in services in the NT and of community members
multiple services being delivered to communities, particularly since the NTER. Some interviewed spoke of the confusion in community, who apply the label 'welfare' to all of them, and that all services are considered 'whitefella services'
the strengths and challenges of delivering services in an outreach service mode in such a sensitive area as abuse and neglect
logistical challenges of weather, and Ceremonies in relation to access
logistical challenges in relation to availability of confidential and working spaces, and of accommodation, in communities.

There are practical difficulties involved in providing community based services for remote settings - the main one being in the shortage of suitably qualified and experienced practitioners with the unique set of skills to work in remote communities. Literature reviewed found that non-Indigenous workers often find remote area work challenging and are not trained in dealing with the kinds of issues they face in remote Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal workers are often not adequately trained to deal with the sensitive issue of child abuse.²⁹

Outreach workers in the MOS Plus service face challenging service logistical conditions, including: working long hours away from home and family; limited suitable accommodation in community; strong reliance on a colleague; whilst also needing to be very self reliant. This is in addition to the challenging nature of the work itself in community - counselling and supporting children, families and community in the very sensitive area of child abuse.

Literature notes that remote work is often done by people who may be qualified to deliver the services but have little experience of the reality of remote work, or lesser qualified or graduate staff with potential - rather than those with specialised experience. Literature notes staff providing counselling and support services to Aboriginal children and young people report that they are often working beyond their capacity, which leads to burn out and attrition, and this affects the service provided to communities.³⁰ The evaluation has found this is also a challenge for the development and provision of the MOS Plus service, and is an important consideration in the evolving service model. That is, the professional development, resources and mentoring required to support and develop staff in their respective roles and as a member of outreach teams.
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The Growing them stronger, together Report³¹ also acknowledges the need for a comprehensive workforce strategy. Although the recommended strategy within that Report focuses on child protective staff, it has applicability to related services such as MOS Plus, as it is to be based on principles that:

involve the employment and continued training of well qualified, culturally aware and competent child safety and protective personnel who can indentify risk...as well as being able to utilise community development approaches for early intervention and preventative services...
promotes an Aboriginal workforce employment and engagement strategy developed in partnership with Aboriginal advisers and agencies that creates 'on-country' employment, education, training and employment development pathways for Aboriginal people working in family support and protective services from volunteer through to post graduate level
is characterised by a strong partnership engagement with the non-government sector in planning and implementation

Findings

Service development and provision in remote communities is complex and sensitive, particularly in the context of the history of service intervention in the NT. This is true for any service in remote communities, but is particularly complex for the development and provision of MOS Plus services, given the sensitivities of the service focus of child abuse, neglect and trauma.
Service provision logistics in remote communities are challenging: attracting and retaining staff in this specialist field; difficulties of access due to transport and weather restrictions, and to Ceremonies and Sorry Business.

Footnotes

²⁹ Appendix D: Literature Review
³⁰ Santhanam, 2005; O'Brien, 2010. Appendix D: Literature Review
³¹ P83 Summary Report. Growing them stronger, together: Promoting the Safety and Wellbeing of the Northern Territory's Children. Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory 2010

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