Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children: A framework for understanding

This course is for non-Indigenous practitioners who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. It has been developed with the support and guidance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to specifically support non-Indigenous practitioners in mainstream organisations to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

This course will help you to:

• understand the history and context of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families and individuals
• gain a clearer understanding of the context of a presenting problem or issue within families' lives
• understand the worries, concerns and aspirations that families have regarding their children’s social and emotional wellbeing
• develop a deeper understanding of the context of a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families' experiences, and how this affects wellbeing, as well as contributes to the protective factors that help families recover
• broaden your understanding of the role and influence of kinship and family relationships in infant's and children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

It is estimated that this course will take you approx. one hour 30 minutes to complete, including reading material and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked, and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please use the following self-care tips and seek help if needed.

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks and do it in a quiet space where you have time to reflect.
• Make sure you ground yourself when you need a break. Take your shoes off to venture outdoors and walk through some beautiful green grass or dip your toes into the ocean. Even if you do not feel that you need a break, it is a good idea to take a few moments to reflect upon what you may be reading, listening to and hearing for the first time. Another idea may be to make yourself a cup of tea and yarn with a loved one about your new learnings.
• Be mindful of your emotions as you progress through the course. It’s important to take the time to stop and think deeply about why you may be experiencing differing emotions. Write it down, sit with it and ask yourself why you are feeling a certain way. It’s absolutely fine if you do not have the answer right now, but it is important to come back to it later to reflect and unpack.
• Consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy, or connect with a friend or loved one.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call 13Yarn on 13 92 76, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or SANE Australia on 1800 187 263.

For the purpose of this course, the term parent encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child, as well as individuals who have taken up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child. 

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. It incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths and is a facet of child development.¹

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.²

Social and emotional development involves the development of skills required to:

• identify and understand one’s feelings 
• read and understand the emotional states of other people 
• manage strong emotions and how they are expressed 
• regulate behaviour 
• develop empathy
• establish and maintain relationships.³

This course draws on the latest research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of our child and family partners. We’d like to thank the professionals and families who played an integral role in shaping this course, generously offering their time, wisdom and unique perspectives.

Watch the following video for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.