Objectives To evaluate the establishment and early implementation phases of a pilot of the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) social and emotional well-being (SEWB) model of service.
Design A mixed-methods study framed by an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research lens. This entails Aboriginal leadership and governance; capacity building; and researcher reflexive practice.
Setting Five Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Western Australia’s South West, Mid West, Kimberley, Goldfields and Pilbara regions.
Participants Using purposive sampling, 19 SEWB team members; 6 key knowledge holders involved in pilot implementation and governance; 15 clients; and 6 representatives for collaborating and referring teams and agencies were recruited.
Results SEWB teams across each pilot site have made strong contributions to strengthening the SEWB of their clients and communities through a range of activities and services offered. By leveraging cultural and community knowledge, and lived experience, SEWB teams have been able to effectively engage with community, advocate and connect clients to relevant services and supports, and provide culturally appropriate counselling in flexible and responsive ways. It was also evident from the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Systems Assessment Tool discussions that developing and codifying systems, processes and governance of SEWB services is an emerging priority for the ACCHS sector.
Conclusions SEWB has been embedded as an essential paradigm within key policy frameworks that support the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Preliminary findings demonstrate the importance of programmes and services that strengthen the SEWB of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, and address social, cultural and political determinants of health and well-being. The findings from this research also highlight the key areas relevant to SEWB service delivery and workforce that require further investment and development.
