Definition
A cultural support plan is an individualised, dynamic written plan or a support agreement that aims to develop or maintain children or young people’s cultural identity through connection to family, community and culture. Cultural support plans help to ensure that planning and decision–making are culturally appropriate and in the best interests of the child.
A cultural support plan is usually developed between the person and the agency in consultation with members of the cultural community (or relevant officer) and usually includes:
- Relevant cultural information, including about the child, his or her family, the nation and/or country, community, language, clan, ethnic/island or cultural group and personal history;
- Activities that maintain and support the child’s cultural identity and connection with communities and culture;
- Supports required to ensure that the child maintains his or her connections and is able to participate in activities documented in the cultural support plan.
- Cultural support plans may also be referred to as cultural care plans, cultural case plans or cultural plans. Cultural support plans that are part of provisional care plans are not included in the Child Protection National Minimum Data Set.
Comments
The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who have a current cultural support plan is a measure under the National Standards for Out-of-Home Care. These standards state:
'Children and young people in care are to know who they are and where they have come from. Memories and experiences during their time in care will be recorded in photos and other memorabilia to help them recall the people and events that have shaped their lives. In particular, shared experiences with family, friends and carer families, as well as school, cultural, spiritual and community experiences and events are encouraged to strengthen the sense of self of children and young people in care.' (FaHCSIA 2011).
A current cultural support plan is one that has been approved and/or reviewed within the previous 12 months. Individual jurisdictions’ timeframes for ongoing review may vary and reviews may be more frequent when:
- young children or infants are involved
- the child has just entered care, and/or
- certain orders are in place (e.g. assessment orders).
Reviews may also be required when circumstances have changed (e.g. death of a parent/carer, placement change) and significant new decisions are needed.
Reviews of cultural support plans include assessing to what extent strategies have been implemented and any change in circumstances concerning the child’s needs, development and safety. If a child has more than one review during the year, the relevant date is that of the most recent review during that year.
Origin
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2013. Child protection national minimum data set, data collection manual 2012-13. AIHW: Canberra.
References
FaHCSIA (Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) 2011. An outline of national standards for out-of-home care: A priority project under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020. FaHCSIA: Canberra.
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