Culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people
Maintaining connections with family, community, language, religion and culture is essential to the long-term wellbeing of kids who come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Wherever possible, CALD kids are placed with carers of the same cultural background. Carers who do not share a cultural background can do a lot to keep kids connected with their communities and nurture their sense of identity.
Connecting with culturally and linguistically diverse services
There are lots of cultural groups and events across NSW. Visit your local council’s website to see what’s on offer in your area or visit Multicultural NSW for information about multicultural community organisations, events and activities, resources and programs that help break down barriers to access and participation.
You could also get in touch with specialist services such as:
- Translating and Interpreting Service is a service for those who need help to communicate in English.
- Settlement Services International provides a number of culturally responsive services in the areas of refugee settlement, asylum seeker assistance, housing, multicultural foster care, disability support, employment services and youth support in NSW.
- Survival Words is a guide to essential, everyday words in Arabic, Mandarin and Greek.
- Ethnic Community Services Co-operative supports inclusive practices in mainstream services. Its workshops and resources, including the Survival Words website, have broad appeal.
- 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 protects and promotes the health of people from refugee backgrounds.
- Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors provides culturally appropriate treatment and support for those who have experienced torture and trauma.
- Transcultural Mental Health Centres are part of a NSW Health service working with people from CALD communities, health professionals and partner organisations to support good mental health.
- Playgroup Australia, a not-for-profit organisation supporting families and strengthening local communities through playgroups, including culturally based playgroups
- State Library of NSW, offering multicultural services including access to children's picture books, nursery rhymes, bilingual books and sound recordings in over 40 different languages as well as access to thousands of international newspapers and magazines.