Practice with culturally
diverse groups
HCS103 2015
Karen Bell
HCS103- WEEK 3
Acknowledgement: Some slides from Karen Bell

Terminology – reflects how the dominant culture perceives people
What do the following terms imply to you?
Non-English Speaking Background (NESB)
Cultural & Linguistic Diversity (CALD)
immigrants
ethnics
newcomers
‘new Australian’
‘boat person’
refugee
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Australia’s immigration patterns
• Colonisation of Australia, largely immigrants from Britain & Ireland
• Indigenous people dispossessed, exploited, ignored
• Continued waves of immigration (e.g. post world war 2)
• Variations in broad policy – ‘white Australia’ to ‘multiculturalism’
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Phases of migration policy(Jamrozik, Boland &Urquart 1993)
1947 – 1964 – assimilation
1964 – 1972 – integration
1972 – 1975 – ethnic pluralism
1975 – 1983 - multiculturalism stage 1
1983 – 1988 – multiculturalism stage 2
1988 – 1993 – post-multiculturalism?
1993 – current – neo-cosmopolitanism? (McMahon 2005)
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Multiculturalism
• Recognition and valuing of cultural diversity
• Freedom to express and share cultural values whilst abiding by mutual civic obligations
‘Australia is not a melting pot where all cultures change to become one or a mosaic where
different cultures keep their separateness; it is more a tossed salad where both unity and
diversity are valued at the same time’
(McMahon 2005, in Alston & McKinnon 2005, p. 75)
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Four principles underpinning multiculturalism
1. Responsibilities for all – duty to support civic structures and principles of
Australian society
2. Respect for each person – right to express culture and reciprocal respect for others’ right
to same
3. Fairness to each person – all entitled to equality of treatment and opportunity, social
equity
4. Benefits for all – diversity brings dividends for all – social, cultural, economic.
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Australia’s immigration patterns
Current - 3 immigration programs
Economic – skills, money
Family reunion – related to Australian citizens
Humanitarian – international human rights definition & convention, people
escaping war, oppression
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Asylum Seekers
• Those who have fled their country because of persecution or fear of persecution
• Have come directly to Australia and applied for refugee status here, rather than
applying in their own country or a neighbouring country – usually for good reasons
(e.g. persecution, lack of established practices for refugee applications, fear, etc)
• 1992 - mandatory detention for ‘unauthorised arrivals’ (Dept Immigration,
Multiculturalism and Indigenous Affairs DIMIA): ‘detention, demonisation &
deportation’ (McMahon 2005)
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Mandatory detention
• As of 26th April 2018, there were 1369 people in immigration detention facilities
• Of these 1400 people, 14 per cent were from New Zealand, 8.7 per cent were
from Vietnam, 8.5 per cent were from Sri Lanka, 8 per cent were from Iran and
4.4 per cent were from China (Department of Home Affairs 2018)
‘Australians are largely unsympathetic to unauthorised arrivals and favour their
indefinite detention, despite well-documented harm they suffer in long-term
detention’ (McMahon 2005, in Alston & McKinnon 2005, p. 76)
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Social work practice issues
• Evolution of social work in a monocultural context
• Need for cultural sensitivity and anti-racist practice
Cultural sensitivity / Ethnic sensitivity
Aims to reduce misunderstandings, miscommunication and bias
in Social Work contact with client
Anti-racist / anti-oppressive / anti-discriminatory practice
Focus on historic/structural disadvantages, especially those re
gender, race, class, ethnic identity
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Cultural Sensitivity Models
Ethno-specific model
• Focus on differences between cultural groups, fixed characteristics of group assumed,
stereotypical definition of groups
• Example- Services for very specific ethnic group, articles describing typical ethnic group
families
• Can provide specific information on cultural practices, customs, values.
• May disregard individual differences and be too static.
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Cultural Sensitivity Models
Psychological / Interpersonal approach
• Understanding culture is seen as understanding another’s feelings, attitudes, beliefs and
behaviours and being reflective of one’s own.
• Emphasises empathy, cultural awareness.
• Tends to focus on individual deficits rather than strengths
and is individualistic in focus.
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Cultural Sensitivity Models
Linguistic / Communication approach
• Focus on what is said, how it is said – examines dynamics of cross-cultural
interactions
• Sensitises Social Workers to communicating effectively with clients
• Emphasises relationship between language and culture
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Anti-racist models of practice
Attempt to challenge the oppressive practices
and structures that maintain the dominant
group’s position in society
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Anti-racist models of practice
1. Anti-oppressive practice
o Confronts underlying causes of racism – policies & behaviour
o Usually collective action, raise awareness & take action for social change
o Aims to liberate oppressors and the oppressed, structural transformation
2. Socio-historical approach
o Educational perspective
o Based on knowledge of history of oppression and identifying trends, causes, remedies
o Challenges mono-cultural views
3. Equal opportunity / anti-discrimination model
o Focus on civil rights regarding access, equity and freedom from discrimination
o Discrimination is any act or omission that leads one group to have unfair access / opportunity
o Legal rules governing EEO
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Ethical issues
o Ongoing main issue – mandatory detention (McMahon 2005)
o Power differential between Social Work and client group
o Mono-cultural approach to service provision
o Lack of cultural sensitivity / reflection on one’s own ethnicity
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References
Department of Immigration and Border Protection. (2017). Immigration Detention and
Community Statistics Summary: 31st May 2017. Retrieved from
https://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/statistics/immigration-detention-
statistics-31-may-2017.pdf
Maidment, J. 2013. Cross-cultural practice. In Connolly, M. & Harms, L. Social work contexts
and practice. Melbourne, OUP.
McMahon, A. 2005. Social work practice in an ethnically and culturally diverse Australia. In
Alston, M. & McKinnon, J. 2005 Social work fields of practice. Melbourne, OUP.
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