Caring Together: Supporting culturally safe conversations in paediatric palliative care
Australia is one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries. Nearly 28% of Australians were born overseas, more than 300 languages are spoken in homes, and almost one in four people speak a language other than English (2021 Census). Yet many families navigating paediatric palliative care do so without access to information in their preferred language.
For families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, this creates a significant barrier to understanding and accessing care.
When information is not accessible, families’ access to paediatric palliative care services may be delayed, and opportunities for informed decision-making reduced. Addressing this gap requires tailored, culturally informed approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
Supporting clinicians
Conversation around paediatric palliative care can feel especially challenging, with uncertainty about language and how families may respond, particularly when cultural or language differences are present.
Caring Together – An Introduction to Paediatric Palliative Care was developed to support clinicians in these conversations, helping them introduce palliative care in a way that is compassionate, clear and culturally safe.
A practical, co-designed resource
Caring Together was co-designed with families and healthcare professionals across Australia. It provides families with clear, accessible information while offering healthcare professionals a practical booklet to support the introduction of paediatric palliative care in a respectful and supportive way.
The resource explains what paediatric palliative care is, which healthcare professionals may be involved, and supports children and their families to understand their rights to information and involvement in decisions. It also encourages reflections on their hopes and concerns.
An Easy Read version of the booklet is also available. With clear visuals, a straightforward structure and simplified explanations, this version helps ensure more families can engage with complex information at a very difficult time.
Supporting culturally safe communication
The Arabic and Vietnamese versions of Caring Together extend accessibility further. These were co-developed with community members to ensure cultural nuance, appropriate tone and meaningful language.
For clinicians, this culturally informed language supports safer cross-cultural communication. It helps reduce the risk of misunderstanding and supports more respectful, culturally safe conversations with families from CALD backgrounds. The Arabic and Vietnamese versions demonstrate that families’ backgrounds, values and ways of understanding care are recognised and respected. Cultural identity is treated as a core part of compassionate care, not an afterthought.
Why Caring Together matters for healthcare professionals
The resources offer:
- language to support clear, compassionate explanations of paediatric palliative care
- culturally informed concepts that go beyond direct translation
- resources that support trust and shared decision-making
- greater confidence when introducing palliative care to families who may be unfamiliar with the concept.
Why Caring Together matters for families
It supports children and their families by:
- explaining paediatric palliative care in simple language or in their own language
- describing who may be involved in the child’s care
- outlining children and families’ rights to information and participation in decisions
- supporting parents and caregivers to reflect on what matters most to them and their child.
For healthcare professionals, culturally safe, co-designed resources like Caring Together support clearer communication, shared understanding and stronger partnerships with families – when it matters most.
To find out more, order copies or download the digital versions from Caring Together resource page, or visit Paediatric Palliative Care Australia for additional information.
