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Page 1 of 7 Ethics, Protocols and Guidelines There are a number of national and community based ethical guidelines, protocols and principles of practice available for practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. It is important that practitioners be aware of and put into practice such guidelines particularly as they may relate specifically to the communities with which you may come into contact with and provide services. It is necessary for all practitioners prior to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to be familiar with local history, customs, ways of doing business as well as the local mental health issues. As well, a local orientation and cultural awareness programme may be necessary before engaging with the community. Every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and community is unique and there is no one rule when it comes to interacting with individuals or communities. Be mindful that the approach you will take will be different depending on the individual or community's location, their cultural beliefs and practices, together with their history and experiences, especially with mental health services. Even within a small geographical area, there may be several distinct cultural and language groups that require consideration.
Guidelines and protocols may relate to a number of issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including whether permits are required to enter communities, rules governing behaviour, use of photographs, permission to attend ceremonies, use of alcohol as well as local customs and governance structures of communities. Some of this information can be accessed from State and Territory departments. For example the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs provides information on permits, local communities and other important documents such as Engaging with Aboriginal Western Australians that sets out a number of considerations for community consultation and participation. (See www.dia.wa.gov.au/Policies/communities) Other more localised protocols can be found through Community Councils, local Land Councils or Services. For example the Larrakia Nation (See www.larrakia.com/AboutUs.html) in the Northern Territory and the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council (See link from www.waru.org) in Central Australia provide important community, services and contact information.
The Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC) has also developed a national Cultural Respect Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2004-2009 that sets out a number of principles and examples of practice to guide services and practitioners when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Framework consists of building blocks aimed to improve knowledge and awareness, skilled practice and behaviour, develop strong relationships creating equity of health outcomes. (See the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health)
In regard to research, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has developed guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research incorporating within ethical relationships the core values of spirit and integrity, reciprocity, respect, equality, survival and protection, and responsibility. The guidelines are available at the Indigenous Issues Portal on the NHMRC website.
In view of the high levels of mortality, morbidity and poor mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the RANZCP has developed Ethical Guidelines for psychiatrists when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in mental health services. These guidelines highlight the influential role health care practitioners often play in society and the need to redress prejudicial stereotypes and remove discrimination in services. In addition, following the release of the Bringing Them Home Report in 1997 of the investigation into the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children from their families, the College released a position statement in support of the recommendations in the report and both are provided for reading.
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Guidelines 
