Culturally and linguistically diverse children

We celebrate that each individual is unique. We are enriched by the diversity of the ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, cultural and religious beliefs, perspectives, life experience and ideologies of our people and those we support. Diversity and inclusion means acceptance and respect, and reflect our values.

Maintaining connections with family, community, language, religion and culture is essential to the long-term wellbeing of children who come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. If possible, CALD children are placed with carers of the same cultural and linguistic background. In some situations it might be necessary to place a child with a carer from a different cultural background.

If you don't share a cultural background with a child in your care you can do a lot to keep children connected with their communities and nurture their sense of identity, such as supporting children to

• learn about their culture of origin
• learn or maintain their original language
• enjoy social interaction with members of their original cultural group
• participate in the religious practices of their own cultural group

Language is very important. If children don't speak the language of their family this can create disconnection and compound loss, grief and trauma. Keeping family members involved in children’s lives is an important way to maintain and develop children’s language skills.