www.raisinggrandchildren.com.au

Multicultural Services

Across all cultures grandparents raising grandchildren face many of the same issues regarding financial support, legal assistance and the need to look after general health and wellbeing.

While ‘mainstream’ services can assist all grandparent families in these areas of need, specific services exist for multicultural communities that recognise the significance of cultural diversity, history and traditions. They are geared towards the special needs of families often struggling within their own communities while trying to adapt to an Australian way of life.

For Grandparents in a multicultural community

Grandparents from diverse cultures are often traditionally relied on to take the role of carer for their grandchildren.

They look after them five, and sometimes seven days a week; they also take on the role of ‘parent’ for their grandchildren when drug and alcohol or other problems occur within the family; they might even live within the parental home looking after the whole family. The job they take on often isolates them from others in the community; the language barriers, their difficulty in knowing about and accessing services, and the cultural expectations within their families, often causes depression and health problems.

Where do you go for help?

These grandparents are often reluctant to seek help due to the cultural expectation that they ‘just have to cope’, and the lack of understanding of the Australian way of life and how to make use of, and benefit from the services around them.

Often the best place to start is the local Migrant Resource Centre. These centres might run playgroups and activities for children that also act as support groups for grandparents. They may also offer support groups and educational sessions for people of various cultures to help with parenting skills and learning to understand how community services work together. They can direct you to a wide variety of resources within your local community and NSW in general.

Any Grandparent Support Group or Foster Carers Group will welcome a grandparent who is raising their grandchildren and provide information and advice. Support will be needed where language barriers occur. Click here for a list of support groups.

Health

Looking after your health is important if you are to be looking after others in your family.

Immigrant Women’s Health Service – (02) 97261016 in Cabramatta runs support groups for women – to help them meet other women and break down isolation. Ask at your local Migrant Resource Centre whether similar services exist in your area.

The NSW Department of Health NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service website provides information sheets on a wide variety of medical situations that are useful for families and include advice on when to access help in a health-concerning situation. Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre can provide information and referral to appropriate services within the family. Phone 02 9699 3552

Language difficulties

An obvious problem arises when English is not your first language. The terminology and jargon of community services, legal information, school notes and everyday life can be confusing and isolating.

There is an added barrier that arises when the children are attending school where they speak English all day and associate with a diversity of cultures. They therefore hold a great deal of knowledge (and power) over grandparents and parents who do not have the same English speaking ability. Children often become the interpreters for their grandparents, which is not always the best situation in the family and one to be discouraged where possible. Interpreter services are available and can help.

Where do you go for interpreter services?

Free Interpreter Services are available through: Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW tel 1300 651 500 (TTY 8255 6758) Interpreting is available in over 77 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week anywhere in NSW. It can be used in most personal, legal and community service situations. Translating services are also available for personal and legal documents, multilingual pamphlets and books, as well as technical and other more complex material.

Translating is can also be obtained from the Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) tel 13 14 15. Telephone and face-to-face services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Education

A strong multicultural education policy exists in the school system – information is available through Multicultural Programs Office tel 02 9244 5324

Can I use an interpreter at school?

Parents are entitled to request interpreter assistance for any meetings they may attend at the school. The Department of Education recommends you phone TIS -13 14 50 for assistance.

You can ask for an interpreter to be present for enrollment, interviews, information sessions and meetings – anything regarding the children at school.

The Reading Writing Hotline provides a telephone information, referral and advice service for adults wanting to improve literacy and numeracy skills. Tel 1300 655 506 in business hours.

Centrelink Financial assistance

Centrelink Multilingual Services ensure people from all cultures are able to access Centrelink services. Multilingual Service Officers work with ethnic communities and language services to provide interpreting, translating and bi-lingual staff. A fortnightly National SBS radio broadcast is also available. Tel 131 202 in business hours.

Culture and Tradition

In families where grandparents have maintained strong ties to their cultural traditions and heritage problems can sometimes occur dut to the difference in attitude across the generations. Grandchildren are often more involved in Australian culture and are caught between the two ways of life.

Parenting programs and educational sessions can assist grandparents bridge the gap across cultures and gain a better understanding of the children in their care. Contact your local Migrant Resource Centre, Family Support Service or Neighbourhood Centre for assistance.

The federal government has funded a website: raisingchildren.net.au that offers advice on a full range of parenting issues for children up to 8 years of age.

The New South Wales government has a website About NSW that can provide you with information about things to do in NSW that is very useful.