Supporting health policy, program and service development with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This resource is for all people involved in developing health services, policies and programs that aim to support and benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It gives guidance about using best practice co-design approaches that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to take the lead in determining priorities and shaping the course of action.
Co-design is a way of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as equals. This way of working upholds self-determination, leverages the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and is essential to achieving better outcomes.
This Guide gives practical support to:
- Understand community-defined principles of co-design and how to put them into practice.
- Identify appropriate partners and establish effective partnerships.
- Facilitate shared decision making and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
- Use respectful, culturally grounded processes throughout the design, implementation and evaluation of a project.
"Partnership guarantees better outcomes. Engagement that enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to set the agenda and co-design policies and programs in partnership with stakeholders and those with significant resources is essential"