Identify and respond to children and young people at risk - NSW ...

It is essential when working with Aboriginal families to take into account the
role of community elders and to recognise the role of the extended family, with
more participation in day to day child rearing from grandparents and other
family members than would be the case in nuclear families.
Legislation to be covered in the next section acknowledges particular roles in
decision making to ensure participation of Aboriginal people in decisions about
Aboriginal children.
It is important to have an informed viewpoint about cultural practices, and to
ensure that harm to children is not excused by being labeled as ‘cultural’ when
it would be unacceptable to other Aboriginal people, while also being able to
recognise behaviours and practices that are different and culturally based, and
not a cause for concern.
3. Highlight that Alan and Lily come from culturally diverse
backgrounds.
Ask:
‘What should you take into account in working with children from
culturally diverse backgrounds?’
Highlight the wide range of culturally and linguistically diverse communities
represented in Australia. The impact of cultural and linguistic diversity will vary
widely depending on how long families have lived in Australia and their
experiences before and after arriving.
Particular challenges may be experienced by emerging communities whose
members are recent arrivals so that parents may not have ready access to
support workers who speak their language and understand their culture.
Families may be unfamiliar with Australian expectations about child safety,
welfare and wellbeing, such as expectations around physical discipline and
supervision. Workers may play a role in education in this respect.
Migration is a challenging experience, especially for families who have arrived
as refugees. Families may maintain a strong sense of responsibility for family
members they have left behind, including sending money to them, and
prioritising efforts to support those family members so they too can migrate to
Australia. Families may experience significant financial and social stress, with
impacts on parenting and children.
Migrants, in particular refugees who have experienced war and political
oppression and discrimination, may experience ongoing effects of trauma,
including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder such as flashbacks. These
may impact on a parent’s capacity to manage the stresses of daily life.
In assessing whether unfamiliar behaviours or practices are concerns in relation
to a child or young person’s safety, welfare and wellbeing, it is important to
consider the child or young person’s experience, and to seek advice from people
within the community or those experienced in working with families from that
community, to ensure that harm to children is not minimised, and that culturally
diverse practices that are not harmful to children are accepted and supported.
Impacts of migration can persist into subsequent generations. Beliefs and
practices of Australian born parents may be impacted by the influence of
grandparents who were born overseas.
Keep Them Safe CHCCHILD401A – Facilitator’s Manual
© The NSW Technical and Further Education Commission
(TAFE NSW – Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank, 2010)
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