Aboriginal Parenting Program set to bridge the gap in culturally appropriate support

Healing Kids, Healing Families and Embrace researchers Dr Celeste Duff and Raheen Williams have stressed the need for more parenting programs that are tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Current parenting programs in Australia are based on Western theories, which doesn’t always translate across to programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. 

“Factors such as family and relationship structures look different between the two cultures. It isn’t one size fits all,” Dr Celeste Duff said. “This means they aren’t providing parents and carers with the appropriate tools to support kids as they grow up.”

“Having programs which aren’t created by or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples creates a gap that we want to bridge.”

It is because of these findings that the team are developing a program specific to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Strong Families, Strong Children. Designed with people from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, the program uses frameworks such as Social and Emotional Wellbeing to ensure cultural knowledge underpins its’ structure.

Dr Duff and Mr Williams recently discussed these findings, and their program, at the Australian Institute of Family Studies conference in Melbourne in September.

The 3-day conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policy makers, service providers and people with lived experience from across Australia.

“The presentations and discussions challenged assumptions and explored how research, policy and practice can come together to improve health outcomes." Mr Williams said of the conference. “It was insightful to see so many people together focused on improving outcomes for children, families, and communities, and we were grateful to be a part of this.”

Raheen Williams (left) and Dr Celeste Duff at the conference

The conference also included a keynote from Professor Ray Lovett which focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural indicators, and the development and validation of a family functioning measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The panel, which included Sue-Anne Hunter, the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, focused on a discussion for advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in care. 

Strong Families, Strong Children is currently in the pilot phase, and more updates are expected mid-2027.

Embrace is proudly supported by principal partner Rio Tinto and Channel 7 Telethon Trust.