Six things that must be taken into consideration

six things that must be taken into consideration regarding a client’s
environmental safety in residential care or in-home care.
Things to consider in terms of environmental safety will include:

• aids and services that support independence and that uphold their rights and self-
determination
• access to family, friends and to spiritual/ religious support
• care that accommodates physical and psychological needs—including medical or
medicinal care needs
• financial support
• lighting, furniture, heating/ cooling, meals—food preferences
• care that accommodates physical and psychological needs—including medical or
medicinal care needs
• mementoes, photographs, sentimental objects etc
• environmental cleaning needs
2 - The notion of safety does not only refer to physical safety, it also
refers to cultural safety. In 80–100 words, explain cultural safety.
Cultural safety is about creating an environment where the Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander person is not only treated well and in a culturally respectful manner. Cultural safety
is an environment, which is safe for people; where there is no assault, challenge or denial of
their identity, of who they are and what they need. It is about shared respect, shared meaning,
shared knowledge and experience, of learning together with dignity, and truly listening.
Cultural safety supports shared respect, shared meaning, shared knowledge
and experience of learning together. Actions which recognise and respect
the cultural identities of others, and safely meet their work needs,
expectations and rights are encouraged.
Activity 4
1 - What verbal and non-verbal communication strategies can be
used to show respect for diversity? List 10 strategies.
Showing respect for diversity in communication with all people involves :

• understanding that there are differences between people from different cultures
• knowing when to use eye contact, how to manage body space and physical contact
• knowing that each person is unique and that other people have their own ideas and beliefs
that they are entitled to hold, regardless of what you believe
• realising that people are all individually different and have different perceptions, values
and expectations
• using active listening techniques
• being polite and courteous
• asking questions, in particular when you do not understand why somebody is responding
differently from your expectations
•