Cultural Diversity Week

The Social Services Regulator (SSR) is committed to protecting the safety and rights of all people who access social services and children.

Beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March, this Cultural Diversity Week we reaffirm our dedication to:

• upholding inclusion and connection to culture in the organisations and businesses we regulate

• addressing racism and racial discrimination

• regulating the broader protection of cultural safety, equity, dignity and agency for people who access social services and children with culturally diverse backgrounds in Victoria.

Social Services Regulator Jonathan Kaplan said organisations and businesses have an enduring responsibility to reflect on how they meet the needs of people from all cultures accessing social services and children.

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ for upholding the safety and rights of people who access social services and children. It’s about meeting and being responsive to changes in each person’s needs.

“Whether you run a residential care facility, a sports club or a tutoring service, organisations and businesses must ensure people who access social services and children can participate equally, and can also access culturally safe spaces where they can be themselves.”

Organisations and businesses subject to the Social Services Standards and the Child Safe Standards must:

• understand the diverse needs of children, including cultural and language needs

• take action to uphold equity, promote children’s safety and prevent child abuse and harm

• ensure workforces are trained in the cultural safety needs of people who access social services, and racism is identified and confronted

• uphold the rights and inclusion of people who access social services, and ensure services are free from race discrimination

• provide clear and accessible information that people who access social services indicate they understand

• enable access to advocacy services and connection to culture, family, friends and community, for people who access social services.

This Cultural Diversity Week, organisations and businesses can learn more about their obligations to support people who access social services and children with culturally diverse backgrounds in the following ways:

• Access our guidance materials on meeting the Social Services Standards (opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) and the Child Safe Standards(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window), including:

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 5(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window): equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Guidance on Social Services Standard 1: Clause 10(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window), Cultural safety and inclusion

Guidance on Social Services Standard 2(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window): Service user agency and dignity

Our self-assessment tool(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) to evaluate compliance with the Social Service Standards.

• Find out how to raise reportable conduct(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) with us and understand our role in administering the Working With Children Check and the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window).

• Subscribe to our mailing list(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) to receive updates about further resources, guidance or events.

• Find out how to get involved in Cultural Diversity Week(opens in a new window).