Listening to children, culture and Community

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People in Western Australia. Jacqueline has a long history working in education, child protection and Indigenous affairs. She was most recently the CEO of Thirrili, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering critical supports and services to families following a loss to suicide or another fatal traumatic incident. 

Drawing on her extensive experience across public, private and non-government sectors, Jacqueline speaks with us about children’s voices, family and kinship, cultural safety and systems change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families. 

• Listen now to learn why relationships, trust and deep listening are essential when working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.  

• Take a moment to reflect on how your practice supports children to stay connected to culture, Community and identity.  

• Explore ways your service can move beyond awareness and create genuine cultural safety. You might like to do this by engaging with Supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: A guide for non-Indigenous leaders and organisations. 

In this episode, you will learn about:  

• how children’s voices can inform better systems, services and decision-making [04:27]

• why family, kinship, Community, culture and Country are central to children’s wellbeing [08:01]

• the importance of relationship-building, humility and deep listening in practice [10:54] 

• what cultural safety looks like beyond policies, symbols and good intentions. [13:47]

Further information and resources:

• Parenting our way: Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and families 

• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

• Frameworks for understanding: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to health