Abstract: Glover, Rebecca Since the 1980s, academic literature in the health field has focused on the barriers and enablers patients experience at admission, during discharge consultations, preparation for discharge and post-discharge. This paper reviews the barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients may encounter during discharge from a hospital setting back into the community. Currently, this is one of few papers which discusses the complications around culturally safe discharge planning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This paper seeks to make a contribution to the knowledge and awareness of social workers, other allied health professionals, nurses, and doctors, in the health field. Research was gathered from twelve databases using twelve key terms of reference. Preliminary research uncovered five core themes which are applicable to the discharge of Aboriginal patients. These overarching themes are: non-compliance, lack of understanding, supports, insufficient resources, and inadequate systems and processes. Sub-themes of medication adherence, discharge against medical advice (DAMA), men's and women's business, low health literacy, inadequate systems, community consultation, poor communication, family involvement in discharge planning, community resources, and service availability and transport, is discussed in further detail. Implications of the research is discussed in relation to the cultural safety framework, community consultation and policy development, and the discharge planning process.
Abstract: Thomson, Jane In 2017 paediatrician Dr Peter Jones called for a policy debate on the need for some people in Australia to have fewer children. His call came in response to unacceptably high numbers of children and young people in out-of-home care in Australia and resulting adverse outcomes for these children and young people. This paper challenges this call from a critique of neoliberal society which is characterised by increasing socio-economic disadvantage and rising inequality. It uses Standing's notion of a social construction of a precariat grouping to understand what is happening in many vulnerable families where children's safety and well-being needs are compromised. The argument posed in this critique is that societally we need to promote policies that tackle poverty, inter-generational disadvantage and associated social ills in an attempt to address the causes of these unacceptably high statistics on children in the statutory care system. The paper examines the responsibilities of a critically informed social work approach to posit an alternative social policy approach. Such an approach is based in particular philosophical beliefs about the need for social change to benefit vulnerable citizens. The author concludes that we need to do more to challenge dominant negative discourses about those families. Only when all has been done in the active provision of support should we be having discussions about policy restrictions on family choices.
Abstract: Guo, Karen; Gray, Judith Current interest in the development of a culturally inclusive society in Australia provides an important opportunity to explore culturally responsive practice, specifically the ways in which newly arrived families are supported in their parenting within the context of resettlement. This paper explores the perspectives of bilingual playgroup leaders from the Victorian Cooperative on Children's Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG). It examines their work with newly arrived migrant parents, opening up understandings about what it means to support families from diverse cultural groups. Guided by the concepts of dynamic parenting and dynamic culture, data were analysed through the lens of relational agency and thus focused on how the parents were supported to actively engage in the process of cultural transition. The study conveys the importance of trusting parents to take the lead in constructing their parenting approaches. Implications for the role of playgroup leaders in motivating parents' relational agency are discussed in the light of these findings.
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