Expression of Interest and Reflection for Working with Indigenous Australians in Human Services

Instructions and Tips for Assessment 1: Expression of Interest and
Reflection
The Task:
The Expression of Interest (EOI) and Reflective assessment is designed to give you both a practical opportunity to
address your understanding of concepts and content from the course, by responding to contemporary employment
criteria and also to critically analyse theories and concepts through comprehension and reflective questions.
It will give you an opportunity to put into practice some of your learning’s and own experience related to engaging and
working effectively with Indigenous Australian people and communities, and to demonstrate you have understood the
course overall.
You are required to write a 2,500 wordassessment that includes an “Expression of Interest” with an application letter
(Part 1) and then your responses to the types of dot point criteria which feature in current employment job and
person specifications, and the sections on Comprehension, History and Personal reflection (Part 2).
The format is outlined in the following pages.
Your EOI will relate to a project or ‘job’ of your choice that will be implemented in an Indigenous Australian context
(organisation or community).
It can be helpful when approaching this assignment, to identify a context in which you would like to work in future, to
be able to ascertain how the knowledge, skills, values and learned competencies will relate to your employment role.
There is no expectation that you already have experience in the field so answer/apply from your own personal
perspective.
This assessment overall, will explore some of the central characteristics of Indigenous Australian cultures such as
Kinship and Identity, the history of colonisation, and influences of dominant culture, the social, economic and
psychological effects of colonisation for Indigenous Australians, racism, power and whiteness, contemporary
Indigenous societies, and the role of human service professionals in contemporary contexts.
Referencing is a graded component of this
assessment.
Please ensure that in instances where it is appropriate to reference, that you use the
Harvard referencing style consistently throughout the journal.
You are welcome to delete this instruction section when submitting your assignment.

STUDENT NAME: ID:
OUTLINE OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT
The aim of the course is to develop knowledge and skills to work effectively with Indigenous
Australians in the Human Services. In order to do so, we need to explore concepts of culture and
frameworks for learning, historical contexts, identity, belonging, and cultural positioning. The
majority of work in this course will be examining self and developing an understanding of one’s
own learning needs.
Ensure your responses are supported with the relevant and appropriate evidence. These
must thoroughly showcase your knowledge of the course content and explain why you
think these are important.
PART 1 –
Write a Cover Letter
PART 2 –
Answer All of the Comprehension and Reflection
Questions
For Part 1 –
1) Find a ‘job’ in the Human Services - preferably one with Indigenous
Australian Contexts (or you can make up your ideal ‘wished for’ job.)
2) Write a Cover Letter (approximately 200 words) addressed to the
Selection Panel/employer of the organization.
NOTE: This should also summarize the content of the dot point criteria below as you
would need to do for any job application. This application can be used for a ‘real’ job
application, so make it perfect and relevant. (Would this application ‘get you the
job’?)
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Example of an official “BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION “that may be used.
As a member of the Project team your task will be to contribute to the development and
implementation of a culturally accountable service with Indigenous Australian people which focuses
on the well being, and healing of the community.
The project must be implemented in ways that respect the values of Indigenous Australian people, the
community and nation groups.
The primary vision is to work in ways that will be respectful, honest and effective in working to
overcome Indigenous disadvantage and over-representation of Indigenous Australian people in
social, health and welfare statistics.
The position that has been applied by me is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counsellor
______________________________________________________
COVER LETTER
Dear XYZ
Director of Social Work Services
ABC Organization
54, West Street
Australia
Subject: Application for the post of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counsellor
Dear Mr. A
I wish to apply for the post of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor in ABC organization.
ABC organization has earned huge reputation for delivering the mission as to provide support and
care to the unsurpassed patients. I would like to share the mission and want to contribute to success
of the social work program.
As dedicated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counsellor, my background includes that I have
worked as counsellor, assistant director at the clubhouse and family service specialist.
During these years of experience, I used my approach based on strengths in planning and the
highlights of my career include:
Worked as the social services director at XYZ hospital in order to serve patients who suffered
from substance and mental health challenges
Increasing placements residentially for about 60% with development of partnerships with area
proprietors
After earning MSW from Sometown University, I returned to pursue degree of social work in mental
health. I would like to serve with your organization as I feel I will deliver my best and provide
success to your reputed organization. I will be waiting for your perusal.
Sincerely
XYZ
Enclosure: Resume
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For Part 2 –
Respond to the dot point criteria (6 points to address) and all of the Comprehension
questions below. (Approx 150 words each section)
Question 1)
Ability to communicate with Indigenous Australian families and communities.
As I grew up near the Aboriginal territories, I am accustomed to the manner in which
the aborigines tend to lead their lifestyle. The aborigines speak in their native
language one of which is the Australian Aboriginal English. I am well versed in the
given language and this makes me suitable for communicating with the aborigines.
As a child, I have played with aboriginal kids, as my father was a regular visitor of
the tribe head. Hence, I find it very easy to communicate with their communities and
families. I have also done a specialized course, which gave a deeper insight into
their language Awabakal and Pidgin English language. Sometimes these people are
scared of communication and make use of the sign language, which I have learnt
during the course and used while communicating with them. The kids are unaware
of the English language, which makes sign language a useful tool.
Ability to engage respectfully with the Indigenous Australian community.
As I have grown up with the different aboriginal communities and have regularly
visited them whenever my father met with the aboriginal chief, I have never felt
superior or lower to the different communities. Many people often consider them to
be outside of the Australian Society and they are often misunderstood or ill treated.
In the same manner, the Indigenous Australians often shy away from the people and
tend to keep to themselves. The aboriginal society is very conservative one and they
have a procedure and hierarchical factor when important matters are to be
discussed. This way they often do not get involved with the workings of the regular
people. Thus, due to my original experience with them and capability to
communicate with them by making them feel equal, I would conduct all endeavors in
a respectful manner to ensure that they feel at par and do not feel insulted or
demeaned.
Ability to understand and have knowledge of Indigenous Australian
communities’ family and kinship system.
The aborigines have a deeply systematized family and kinship system. The kinship
system lays down how the people are connected in the society and how the various
roles and responsibilities are divided among the different sex`s as well. The kinship
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