Cultural Care Compass Self-Appraisal Tool
The Cultural Care Compass (CCC) Self-Appraisal Tool assists aged care organisations to become better equipped to address the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of CALD individuals receiving funded aged care services. It acknowledges that the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified focus areas for improvement with diversity being integral in all aspects of an aged care services from governance to service delivery including food and nutrition, dementia, residential and clinical care. The tool enables organisations to take a systemic and holistic approach to improving current services and practices, so they are welcoming, safe and accessible for everyone.
The Centre supports the core values that older people’s voices and lived experiences are central to the strengthened Quality Standards and that there is a strong focus on:
- person-centred care
- the rights of older people
- care outcomes for older people.
By meeting the Cultural Care Compass Performance Indicators, aged care services will be able to:
- better meet the needs of individuals from CALD backgrounds,
- empower consumers to make informed decisions about the service they receive,
- deliver flexible, accessible services free of barriers and discrimination,
- implement a consumer-directed approach, and
- achieve quality outcomes for all consumers.
Alignment with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The Cultural Care Compass Self-Appraisal Tool complements the diversity approach embedded within the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (2025) requirements set out by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. These seven Standards (five for Support at Home providers) require aged care organisations to deliver inclusive and non-discriminatory care and services.
Meeting the performance indicators listed in the tool provides evidence that organisations have embedded an inclusive, non-discriminatory approach in its care and service delivery. Each set of performance indicators and suggested activities listed in the tool provides evidence for meeting the Standards. Completing the CCC for self-appraisal and documenting actions for improvement is a framework for the organisation’s Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Action Plan.
The Centre provides support to organisations through the Cultural and Linguistic-Diversity Mentoring Program where the results of the CCC are considered with the assigned mentor. The Mentoring Program aims for providers to develop their capacity, capabilities and systems to support the needs of individuals from CALD backgrounds.
How to use the Cultural Care Compass (CCC) Self-Appraisal Tool
This CCC has been designed for organisations to use as a self-appraisal tool, enabling aged care organisations to:
- Evaluate current practices against performance indicators
- Identify key areas for improvement and suggested activities
- Develop a Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Action Plan
To get started, download the PDF version of the tool below. Open it using a PDF reader such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can easily enter text and save your progress.