Culturally Reflective Casework Practice - Part 1 (of 3)

Summary

In this podcast, Val from the NGO Learning Center interviews Janet Ervin, a psychologist and caseworker, on culturally reflective casework practice. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding cultural influences on parenting and family dynamics, especially when working with migrants and refugees. Janet shares her personal journey of cultural awareness, starting from living in Mexico to working with diverse communities in Australia. She uses the iceberg analogy to explain the visible and hidden aspects of culture, emphasizing the need for practitioners to be aware of their own cultural biases to better serve clients from different backgrounds.

Takeaways

• 📝 This podcast is the first in a series for the NGO Learning Center, focusing on culturally reflective casework practice, particularly relevant for working with migrant and refugee clients.
• ?c? Val introduces Janet Ervin, a guest speaker with extensive experience across government and NGO sectors, including as a psychologist, caseworker, and trainer.
• 📚 Janet's interest in culturally reflective practice was sparked by her time living in Mexico, where she realized the impact of her own cultural background and the importance of understanding others'.
• 💻 Janet's work with newly arrived refugees and organizations like STARTS, which provides counseling for refugees who've survived torture, has deepened her understanding of cross-cultural communication.
• 👩🏾 The podcast highlights the importance of understanding cultural influences on parenting, given that in New South Wales, 48% of the population has at least one parent born overseas.
• 📝 The 'iceberg' analogy is used to illustrate the visible and hidden aspects of culture, emphasizing that while some cultural traits are obvious, many beliefs and practices are not immediately apparent.
• 📚 Janet discusses the need for practitioners to be aware of their own cultural 'iceberg' and how it influences their interactions with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• 💻 The podcast stresses the importance of being comfortable with discomfort when encountering different cultural perspectives, as it can lead to learning and growth in cross-cultural casework.
• 👩🏿 The training sessions developed by Janet aim to equip NGO practitioners with the skills to navigate the complexities of working with clients from various cultural backgrounds.
• 📝 The podcast concludes with a call to action for practitioners to reflect on their own cultural beliefs and values, and to consider how these influence their professional practice.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the podcast?

The main topic of the podcast is culturally reflective casework practice, particularly relevant for working with clients from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Who is the guest speaker for the podcast?

The guest speaker for the podcast is Janet Ervin, who is part of the learning and development team at Community Services.

What experiences influenced Janet Ervin's interest in culturally reflective casework practice?

Janet Ervin's interest was influenced by living overseas in Mexico, where she became aware of her own culture and later working with newly arrived refugees and torture and trauma survivors in Australia.

What is the significance of the iceberg analogy used in the training?

The iceberg analogy is used to illustrate that culture has both visible aspects, like food and dance, and less visible aspects, such as beliefs and values, which are often deeper and not immediately apparent.

Why is it important for caseworkers to understand their own culture?

Understanding one's own culture is important for caseworkers to recognize their own biases and assumptions, allowing them to work more effectively in a cross-cultural context.

What percentage of the New South Wales population has at least one parent born overseas according to the 2011 census?

According to the 2011 census, 48% of the New South Wales population has at least one parent born overseas.

How does the cultural background of clients impact parenting beliefs and practices?

Culture significantly impacts parenting beliefs and practices, as it influences how families view family structures, roles, and the upbringing of children.

What does Janet Ervin suggest about being comfortable with being uncomfortable?

Janet Ervin suggests that being comfortable with being uncomfortable is a way to learn and grow, especially when it comes to understanding and adapting to different cultural perspectives.

What is the relevance of cultural understanding in the context of casework with refugees?

Cultural understanding is relevant in casework with refugees because it helps practitioners to communicate effectively and provide appropriate support that respects the clients' cultural backgrounds.

What is the role of the multicultural services unit in Community Services?

The multicultural services unit in Community Services works to develop and run training sessions for NGOs, focusing on culturally reflective casework practice.

How does Janet Ervin's experience with different cultures inform her approach to casework?

Janet Ervin's experience with different cultures has taught her the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences, which she applies in her approach to casework by adapting her communication and practices.