Strategic context

Purpose

We co-designed this guide with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) and the Department of Education's Koorie Outcomes Division to:

• have a clear and consistent way to engage with First Nations stakeholders on VSBA building projects
• communicate our process to stakeholders, including Traditional Owners and architects, in a transparent and accessible way
• provide practical, best practice guidance for VSBA project officers leading First Nations design engagements
• explain the strategic context of our First Nations design engagement work
• make it easier for First Nations people involved in VSBA engagements to give us feedback or make a complaint.

Scope

The guide:

• applies only to VSBA First Nations design engagements on school and kinder building projects
• aligns with commitments made in other departmental policies
• helps to apply VSBA policy for delivering building projects (for example, our Building Quality Standards Handbook and Project Management Framework)
• does not override existing government or departmental policies or legislation
• replaces previous stakeholder engagement approaches or forums with groups.

The guide does not:

• change how we name new schools, kindergartens on school sites or Early Learning Victoria centres
• offer guidance on cultural heritage management and Native Title processes (including state Recognition and Settlement Agreements).

For advice on new school naming, see the department's School and Campus Naming Policy, which commits to the use of Aboriginal language names.

For advice on Early Learning Victoria centre naming, see the Guidance note: Aboriginal language naming program (link to come).

Relevant policies

Dhelk Wukang (2022-26)

Dhelk Wukang is the department’s fourth Aboriginal inclusion plan. It builds on the foundations of previous work while acknowledging that we can – and must – do more. We have a shared responsibility to create a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal people to work, feel valued and achieve success.

The plan commits us to strengthening Aboriginal inclusion, self-determination and cultural safety at all levels within the department. This includes the Victorian Public Service and Government Teaching Service. It also commits to a relationship of mutual respect and joint decision-making with Aboriginal people.

Dhelk Wukang outlines the proactive steps the department is taking to support tangible, positive structural change across our entire workforce – in school and corporate settings – to ensure every departmental workplace is safe for Aboriginal people.

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

Dhelk Wukang commits the VSBA to engaging with First Nations people to embed Aboriginal culture in new schools and significant upgrades of existing schools. Early childhood is a newer portfolio for the VSBA, so the commitment also applies to new kinders and kinder upgrades.

We’ve translated the guidance of Dhelk Wukang into the Building Quality Standards Handbook (BQSH) and the Project Management Framework (PMF).

Marrung (2016-2026)

Marrung is the department's strategy to ensure that all Koorie Victorians achieve their learning aspirations. Students can do better if schools and kinders are more inclusive, responsive and respectful. If education settings celebrate First Nations cultures, it helps every Koorie person to succeed. Marrung identifies key actions to achieve its vision.

Marrung was developed in partnership with VAEAI and builds on previous strategies like Yalca (2001).

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

One way the department will achieve the vision of Marrung is by providing a "positive climate for learning and development". This includes making schools and kinders more culturally inclusive. Embedding First Nations design at schools and kinders helps create inclusive and culturally welcoming places for First Nations kids to learn.

Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education

This department report provides clear reform directions to strengthen self-determination in education. It was created after deep listening to over 3,000 First Nations people at more than 180 campfire conversations.

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

The report suggests reviewing schools' physical environments as a 'practical first step' to making sure schools are welcoming and safe places. In our design engagements, Traditional Owners and other First Nations stakeholders tell us how we can create culturally safe and responsive learning spaces – this also supports self-determination.

VSBA commitment to customer service

Empowering schools, engaging communities and completing building projects all hinge on customer relationships. Our public commitment to great customer service sets minimum service standards and values and behaviours for our staff. It also provides a way for our stakeholders to give us feedback or make a complaint.

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

First Nations Peoples and communities are one of our key customer groups and our work with them makes education settings more culturally safe and meaningful. We expect our staff to provide a consistently high standard of service throughout First Nations design engagements.

Child Safe Standards

Victoria has 11 Child Safe Standards which promote the safety of children. By law, organisations that provide services to children are required to meet the standards.

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

We are part of the department and must meet the Child Safe Standards. We help to create culturally safe environments for children at schools and kinders through our design engagements with Traditional Owners and other First Nations stakeholders.

Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework

The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018–2023 (VAAF) is the state's overarching strategic framework for working with Aboriginal Victorians, and other stakeholders, to deliver better outcomes. The framework also commits the government to advancing Aboriginal self-determination by transforming systems and structures. The VAAF includes 11 principles of self-determination:

1. human rights
2. cultural integrity
3. commitment
4. Aboriginal expertise
5. partnership
6. decision-making
7. empowerment
8. cultural safety
9. investment
10. equity
11. accountability.

Connection to VSBA First Nations design engagement

As a government department, we are required to meet the commitments made in the VAAF. Our First Nations design engagements support self-determination by including First Nations people in decisions that shape the learning environments in schools and kinders.

Note: the framework was due to end in 2023 but has been extended to allow for consultation on next steps.