Caring for children from diverse cultural backgrounds

You don’t need to be an expert in a child’s culture. What matters most is respect, curiosity and consistency.

Ask questions. Listen. Celebrate differences. Work closely with your caseworker.

Culture is not an “extra” — it is part of a child’s identity and wellbeing.

Children in out-of-home care have already experienced change and loss. Being separated from culture, language or community can add to feelings of confusion or grief.

Where possible, children are placed with carers from the same cultural background. When this isn’t possible, carers are supported to help children stay connected to who they are.

Your role as a carer

You support cultural connection in everyday ways. This might include:

• respecting cultural, religious and language practices
• encouraging the child to talk about their family and community
• including cultural celebrations and traditions in your home
• supporting contact with significant people in their community, where this is part of the care plan.

Small, consistent actions matter.

Building your own cultural awareness

It helps to reflect on your own background and experiences.

You can:

• think about how your own culture shapes your beliefs and parenting style
• notice any stereotypes or assumptions you may hold and challenge them
• stay open and curious about the child’s experiences
• seek information and ask respectful questions.

Cultural awareness is a learning process. It is okay not to have all the answers.

Staying connected to culture helps children and young people:

• feel proud of who they are
• build a strong sense of identity
• stay connected to family and community
• reduce feelings of isolation or difference
• cope better with change and uncertainty.

For children from refugee or migrant backgrounds, cultural connection can also support healing from trauma.

Children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have a Cultural Plan as part of their case plan.

A Cultural Plan outlines:

• how the child’s language, religion and cultural identity will be supported
• who is responsible for different actions
• how family and community connections will be maintained.

Cultural Plans should be developed in partnership with:

• the child or young person (in an age-appropriate way)
• birth family and significant people
• community or religious leaders, where appropriate
• carers and caseworkers.

Tip: Ask your caseworker for a copy of the Cultural Plan and talk through it together so you feel clear about what it means and what’s expected.

Practical ways to promote connections with culture and strengthen kids’ sense of identity include:

• recognising and supporting the role of birth parents and families where possible
• celebrating all cultures and respecting diversity
• asking your caseworker about special cultural or religious needs the child may have, for example, food, clothing and religious worship
• gathering as much information as possible about the community the child or young person comes from and making this information available to them in an age-appropriate way
• encouraging them to talk about their family and community
• encouraging them to get involved in their community by, for example, taking them to community activities and cultural events
• networking with carers of the same cultural background as the child, your agency’s multicultural workers and multicultural services in your local community
• identifying significant people in the child or young person’s life who can help them maintain links with their community
• providing opportunities for them to make friends with children and adults from their cultural background
• maintaining their interest in their culture and language by providing them with age-appropriate books, toys, music and videos in their language
• providing opportunities for the child and your family to learn the child or young person’s birth language
• using translation and language apps if English is a second language, for example:
  • Google Translate (translate.google.com) – text, speech and photo translation
  • Microsoft Translator (translator.microsoft.com) – live conversation translation
  • Duolingo (duolingo.com) – language learning for children and adults
• more free online tools:
  • StoryWeaver – free children’s books in multiple languages: storyweaver.org.in
  • Library apps – check your local library for bilingual ebooks and audiobooks
• planning major cultural celebrations, events and traditions as part of the things your family does with the child or young person
• seeking services and supports that can provide specialised care in migrant and refugee issues if appropriate
• exposing the child or young person to environments where diversity is valued and they don’t feel like they’re the only one who is different, for example, going to a school with students and teachers from diverse backgrounds
• Perfect! Here’s a concise, carer-friendly mini-box you could place beside the main content on the Drupal page. It’s scannable, accessible, and links directly to practical tools:

Children and young people from diverse backgrounds may experience racism or discrimination. This can be deeply hurtful.

You can:

• make it clear that racism is not acceptable
• listen calmly and take their experiences seriously
• validate their feelings, including anger, sadness or confusion
• help them develop safe strategies to respond
• build pride in their culture, language and appearance
• seek support from your caseworker or specialist services if needed.

Do not minimise or dismiss what the child tells you. Feeling believed is important.

🔗 Bullying and racism

Cultural identity is an important part of this work.

You can help gather information about:

• family origins, countries, towns or villages
• languages spoken at home
• cultural traditions, celebrations and foods
• religious practices
• migration stories and important life events.

For children born overseas, you can also record:

• what they remember about their early childhood
• people who were important to them
• their journey to Australia.

This information can be powerful for children now and in adulthood.

🔗 Life story work

🔗 My Life Story Book

• Translating and Interpreting Service – free interpreter support if you or the child need help communicating in English.
   
• Settlement Services International culturally responsive services including refugee settlement, housing, multicultural foster care, disability support, employment and youth programs.
   
• Ethnic Community Services Co-operative – supports inclusive practice in mainstream services and provides practical resources.
   
• Settlement and Multicultural Affairs is part of the Department of Social Services and offers a range of services and programs to support the lifetime wellbeing of migrants and refugees.
   
• NSW Refugee Health Service – health services for people from refugee backgrounds.
   
• Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) – culturally appropriate treatment and support for people who have experienced torture or trauma.
   
• Transcultural Mental Health Centres are part of a NSW Health service working with people from CALD communities,– mental health support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
   
• Playgroup Australia , a not-for-profit organisation – supports families through playgroups, including culturally based playgroups.
   
• State Library of NSW, offering multicultural services - including access to multilingual children’s books, nursery rhymes, bilingual resources and international newspapers and magazines.

If you are unsure which service is right, speak with your caseworker. You are not expected to navigate this alone.