Good Company Disability Services Pty Ltd
Effective Date: 29 May 2025
Review Date: 29 May 2026
Contact: [email protected]

🌏 Acknowledgement of Country

Good Company Disability Services acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and support participants. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise their enduring connection to culture, community, and Country. We are committed to walking together toward reconciliation and cultural justice.

1. Purpose

This policy outlines Good Company’s commitment to providing culturally safe, inclusive, and respectful disability support services. We recognise and value the cultural identities of all participants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of diverse faiths and worldviews.

Cultural safety is essential to uphold human rights, ensure equitable access, and build environments where all people feel respected, safe, and understood.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, support workers, contractors, and volunteers

• All participants, carers, families, and advocates

• All operational settings including homes, community settings, and digital platforms

3. Definitions

4. Guiding Principles

• Respect for Identity – All cultural beliefs, languages, practices, and traditions are honoured.

• Equity and Inclusion – We recognise systemic barriers and commit to reducing them.

• Lifelong Learning – Cultural safety requires ongoing reflection, listening, and learning.

• Human Rights-Based Practice – Our approach is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

• Choice and Control – Participants lead decisions about how cultural needs are respected.

5. Commitments to Cultural Safety

5.1. For Participants

• We record details provided about cultural needs and preferences during intake and reviews

• Participants can choose culturally appropriate workers wherever possible

• Cultural goals are included in participant support plans where requested

• Any cultural concern or barrier is addressed promptly and respectfully

5.2. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

• We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and support NDIS participants.

• We engage with local Elders and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) where requested by participants

• We follow kinship and community protocols where requested by participants and in line with the NDIS Code Of Conduct and applicable laws in which we are providing our services

• We support healing-informed and culturally grounded practices where requested by participants and in line with the NDIS Code Of Conduct and applicable laws in which we are providing our services

5.3. For CALD and Multilingual Communities

• We provide information in Easy Read formats where requested

• We respect cultural beliefs around disability, health, and communication

• We deliver supports free from bias or stereotyping

5.4. For LGBTIQA+ Participants

• We use inclusive language and respect pronouns

• We support gender identity, transition, and family diversity

• Staff receive training in inclusive and affirming practice where applicable to the participants they are supporting

6. Culturally Safe Practice in Action

Examples include:

• Supporting prayer times or sacred practices

• Using visual tools or communication in first languages where requested and with guidance provided by participants’ therapists

• Allowing family or community members to be part of decision-making

• Celebrating cultural events or milestones that matter to the participant, where requested

7. Participant Voice & Co-Design

Good Company recognises that people with lived experience of disability and culture are best placed to guide what cultural safety looks like.

We are committed to:

• Consulting with participants and families from diverse backgrounds

• Including cultural representatives in program development and review where possible

• Listening to feedback and making improvements together

8. Inclusive Workforce & Representation

We aim to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We are committed to:

• Inclusive recruitment practices

• Encouraging applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, CALD communities, and LGBTIQA+ individuals

• Creating a safe and respectful workplace for staff of all backgrounds

9. Training and Development

• Relevant staff receive cultural awareness training and/or guidance

• Annual refreshers cover:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural frameworks

  • Working with CALD, refugee, and emerging communities

  • LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice

• We update training based on participant feedback and community guidance

10. Accessibility and Communication

To ensure all cultural groups can access services:

• Information can be made available in translated, Easy Read, or large print formats

• We respect different communication styles, including non-verbal, assisted, or visual modes

11. Feedback and Complaints

Participants can raise cultural concerns through:

• Speaking to a worker or coordinator

• Submitting feedback in their preferred language

• Using an advocate or interpreter

• Emailing: [email protected]

All cultural safety concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly.

12. Monitoring and Evaluation

We track progress in cultural safety through:

• Cultural goals included in support plans

• Participant feedback and complaint trends

• Internal audits and annual reviews of this policy and related procedures

• Regular reporting to the leadership team and board

13. Related Policies and Documents

• Participant Rights and Advocacy Policy

• Safeguarding & Risk Management Policy

• Complaints and Feedback Policy

• NDIS Code of Conduct

14. Review

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually

• Following participant or community feedback

• After any concern raised about cultural discrimination or harm

• In line with updates to law or sector standards

✨ Final Statement

Cultural safety is everyone’s responsibility.
At Good Company, we believe that diversity is not just respected — it is celebrated.
We walk alongside each participant, upholding their right to feel safe, valued, and culturally respected at every step.