A culturally safe referral service for at-risk mothers and infants in marginalised, Aboriginal, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families

Abstract

This case study describes the development and implementation of a replicable early assessment and referral service for mothers experiencing minority group disadvantage and family violence in the perinatal period. The service aims to mitigate harms for at-risk mother-infant dyads that can lead to involvement in statutory child protection systems. In doing this, the service follows a culturally safe, restorative practice approach to supporting vulnerable families, which emphasises the relationship between worker and client to create a nurturing environment for change. The service model has been developed and refined since 2018 to now, involving stakeholders from the service team, the not-for-profit community organisation, and a university partner organisation, who provided evidence enrichment and support for clinical skill development. To date: the model has provided practitioners with structured and evidence-based ways of creating shared understandings with clients to prioritise cultural and relational needs; achieved culturally safe ways of engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families; improved practitioners’ confidence in detecting risk in parent-infant relationships; promoted effective communications with external providers; and enhanced therapeutic outcomes for vulnerable families at risk of entry into statutory child protection systems. The model may be suitable for uptake by practitioners and services seeking to improve cultural safety and therapeutic outcomes for diverse and vulnerable families. We share reflections on the scope and function of the model of care with reference to potential for broader application.