Policy Development

Cultural diversity must be considered across all organisational policies and practices in order to provide culturally responsive aged care services and a culturally inclusive work environment.

You might like to consider developing a cultural diversity policy for your organisation. It should be linked to the overall quality and service plan, and cover all areas of service design and delivery.

Of particular importance is the development of a language and communication policy that covers the use of telephone and on-site interpreting services.

Implementing a cultural diversity policy shows a real commitment to meeting the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse community.

• Cultural Diversity Policy Checklist

Additional Resources

• Strength through Diversity: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Aged and Community Care - National Policy Position (PDF 149kb)
  Aged and Community Services Australia
  
  
• Caring for Older Australians from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds - Ageing Policy Statement 2007
  Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia
  
  
• Cultural Competency in Health: A guide for policy, partnerships and participation
  National Health and Medical Research Council
  
  
• Improving the Use of Translating and Interpreting Services: A Guide to Victorian Government Policies and Procedures (PDF 1.03mb)
  Victorian Multicultural Commission
  
  
• Diversity in Hospitals - Policy & Resource Guide (565kb)
  Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health

Contact us for more information on developing a cultural diversity policy for your organisation.