Working With Aboriginal People and Communities
Aboriginal people are overrepresented in the child protection system for a variety of reasons. As a result of the policies, practices and actions of government agencies in the past, there is often mistrust of current welfare and other government agencies in Aboriginal communities. Consultation, respectful relationships and cultural sensitivity are needed in order to work effectively with Aboriginal people to ensure the safety of children/young people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s right to participate in the care and protection of their children is contained in the Care Act. This includes the promotion of self-determination through activities such as consultation, as well as participation in decision making by Aboriginal communities and families about Aboriginal children/young people. The Care Act also recognises that the safety, welfare and well-being of a child/young person is the paramount consideration for a reporter or a worker. Consequently, while being aware of cultural sensitivities, the reporter’s focus must remain on ensuring the safety of the child/young person.
If behaviours are occurring which you suspect place a child/young person at risk of significant harm, they should not be minimised or dismissed on cultural grounds. Likewise, a mandatory reporter should not report behaviours or practices that are culturally unfamiliar unless the reporter considers that the beliefs and practices may place a child/young person at risk of significant harm. Consultation with community elders—without revealing identifying information—may be needed to explore your concerns and how they relate to unfamiliar practices that are culturally acceptable to the Aboriginal community.
Any cultural information that may assist in the assessment of a case should always be included in a report to the Child Protection Helpline.
Working With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
Culture and experience do influence parenting and caregiving practices; however, it is critical that reporters maintain a focus on the impact or effects of these on the child/young person. Where there are grounds to suspect risk of significant harm from parent or carer behaviours, reporters must take the necessary reporting actions. Behaviours that are suspected of causing risk of significant harm should not be minimised or dismissed on cultural grounds.
Workers must focus on the impact of the behaviour or practice on the child/young person and ask, ‘Does this cause or threaten significant harm?’
However, a mandatory reporter should not report behaviours/practices that are influenced by culture simply because they are different or unfamiliar to the reporter, nor if the reporter doesn’t believe the behaviours/practices are causing significant harm or placing the child/young person at risk of significant harm.
Reporters with information about the possible bearing of cultural, linguistic, refugee, migration and/or settlement factors on the case are encouraged to provide this information as part of their report to the Child Protection Helpline. This information can assist in the subsequent assessment of the case.