Careers australia activity one whs question 4

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USING BOOKS IN COUNSELLING AND
THERAPY WITH CHILDREN
Recorded Group Presentation
CHCCOM504B Develop, implement and promote
effective workplace communication
(C51_CHCCOM504B_CCSW_2014) Unit 4

 I think in understanding this topic, we first have to understand what is counselling. As way of getting the ball rolling, I am
including the following definitions of professional counselling from:
 {BAC (1986) Counselling-Definition of terms in use with expansion and rationale (Information Sheet 1). Rugby: British
Association for Counselling.} The British Association for Counselling (BAC), now the BACP, may have been the first
professional association to adopt a definition of professional counselling. In 1986 it published the following definition:
 Counselling is the skilled and principled use of relationship to facilitate self- knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth
and the optimal development of personal resources. The overall aim is to provide an opportunity to work towards living
more satisfyingly and resourcefully. Counselling relationships will vary according to need but may be concerned with
developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing
personal insights and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or improving relationships with others.
 The counsellor’s role is to facilitate the client’s work in ways that respect the client’s values, personal resources and
capacity for self-determination.
 Counselling is well described in this Chinese proverb. "GIVE A MAN A FISH AND HE EATS FOR A DAY, TEACH HIM
HOW TO FISH AND HE FISH FOR A LIFETIME." HELPING SOMEONE HELP THEMSELVES understand their situations
and how they can change if they understand and identify their problems, come out of them and move on with life!
 In 1993, Feltharn and Dryden included the following definition of counselling in their specialised Dictionary of Counselling:
 Counselling is a principled relationship characterised by the application of one or more psychological theories and a
recognised set of communication skills, modified by experience, intuition and other interpersonal factors, to clients’
intimate concerns, problems or aspirations. Its predominant ethos is one of facilitation rather than of advice giving or
coercion. It may be of very brief or long duration, take place in an organisational or private practice setting and may or may
not overlap with practical, medical and other matters of personal welfare.
 It is both a distinctive activity undertaken by people agreeing to occupy the roles of counsellor and client and it is an
emergent profession.... It is a service sought by people in distress or in some degree of confusion who wish to discuss and
resolve these in a relationship which is more disciplined and confidential than friendship, and perhaps less stigmatising
than helping relationships offered in traditional medical or psychiatric settings.
 Counselling is the application of mental health, psychological or human development principles, through cognitive,
affective, behavioural or systemic interventions, strategies that address wellness, personal growth, or career development,
as well as pathology. (http://counselling. org)
WHAT IS COUNSELLING

 Now in looking at the definition of Therapy, in the broadest sense, is a term
that can be applied to any form of treatment for any illness or disorder. For
example, antacid is a form of therapy for heartburn, rehabilitation is a form of
therapy for addiction, and exercise is a form of therapy for obesity.
 As it relates to mental health and mental disorders, therapy is usually a
general term used to reference the sessions held between a therapist (a
mental health professional of any discipline such as a psychiatrist,
psychologist, social worker, nurse, etc., with training and expertise in the art
of helping a patient psychologically) and a patient. Examples include
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT),
group therapy, family therapy, etc.
 http://bipolar.about.com/bio/Marcia-Purse-4273.htm
 Therapy is the act of caring for someone, or the method of caring. If
you have a rare disease, your doctor's therapy will hopefully cure you.
 Therapy comes from the Greek θεραπεία, for "healing." If someone tells you
she's "in therapy," she's probably talking about a psychological kind of
healing. But if she's getting physical therapy, then she's getting help with a
bone or muscle problem. If someone suggests an experimental therapy,
that's a mode of treatment that's new. Sometimes if something non-medical
makes you feels better, we call it a kind of therapy. You might like chocolate
therapy, for example.
 http://www.vocabulary.com/
WHAT IS THERAPY

 Now the three piece of the puzzle is the parent and its definition.
 Full Definition of PARENT
 1
 a : one that begets or brings forth offspring

 b : a person who brings up and cares for another
 2
 a : an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring

 b : the material or source from which something is derived
 c : a group from which another arises and to which it usually remains subsidiary <a parent
company>
 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parent
 This apparently simple question is becoming increasingly difficult to answer. In the
contemporary world, the list of people with arguable claims to parenthood include not only
the traditional ‘Mums and Dads’ who provide genetic material, give birth to and then raise a
child, it also includes parents who provide genetic material but who don’t give birth to a
child (artificial conception); mothers who give birth to but are not the biological mother of a
child (surrogacy); adoptive parents; step-parents; and parents who care for and raise a
child, but are neither birth or biological parents. The courts hear cases where people are in
dispute with each other about who has the better claim to be ‘The Parents’ of a particular
child. Australian law has been working hard through continuing reform efforts to provide
guidelines to determine ‘who is the parent?’ The level of complexity is high however, and at
this stage, the law has not been prepared to consider that a child might in fact have more
than two parents. Again, also, the interface between state and federal law is problematic
especially in Australia as a whole.
WHAT IS A PARENT

 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fla1975114/s4.html
 The definition of ‘parent’ under the Family Law Act includes ‘natural’ parents and adoptive parents. Stepparents
and other adults performing in parent-type roles (e.g. some grandparents), are not included within the definition
of ‘parent’ under the Family Law Act unless they have legally adopted the child. They may obtain responsibility
and authority in relation to the care and control of children only by obtaining a parenting order from a court. For
more information see Parenting orders.
 One of the objects of the Family Law Amendment (De facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Act 2008 was
to remove discrimination against same-sex de facto couples who wish to have children using artificial conception.
It provides that if a child is born to a woman in a married or de facto relationship with an ‘intended parent’ at the
time of artificial conception, then that person is the parent, not the sperm donor: section 60H of the Family Law
Act. Similarly, under section 60HB, the Act states that if a state or territory law provides that a person is a parent
under a surrogacy arrangement, then that order will be upheld for family law purposes.
 As in the state and territory legislation, presumptions of parentage apply also for the purposes of the
Commonwealth’s Family Law Act: see sections 69P-69U. By contrast with the state law presumptions, however, all
of the presumptions in the Family Law Act are rebuttable (arguable by presentation of alternative evidence).
 A parenting presumption can be overturned if evidence is presented to the court that proves it to be incorrect.
This occurs most frequently by the use of DNA parentage testing. Also, the parenting presumptions do not apply
where the biological parents have had only a short or casual relationship. In such cases, DNA parentage testing
may be necessary to prove the identity of a birth parent and establish the legal allocation of responsibility and
authority for care and support of a child (such as responsibility to pay child support).
 Interestingly, the Australian Constitution (at section 51) mentions the phrase ‘parents’ rights’ and makes a specific
allocation of power and responsibility to the Commonwealth Government to make laws for ‘parents’ rights’. But
the trend in development of the Family Law Act, ever since its inception, has been to move away from the idea
that parents have rights – like ownership rights – to have custody of, or contact with, children.
 There are individuals and groups in Australia who argue that parents do have such rights in respect of their
children. In the lead-up to the major amendments to the Family Law Act in 2006, there was renewed lobbying for
recognition of parental rights, including ideas about the existence of a parental right to have a child spend time
with the parent after separation. The Senate Committee examining the proposed reforms rejected these views,
deciding that was simply not possible to reconcile the idea of parents’ rights with the principle of the ‘best
interests of a child’, the main consideration enshrined in the Family Law Act for deciding matters about children.
LEGAL CONTEXT OF A PARENT

 What are the rights of parents and children?
 In addition to the rights enjoyed by all persons under human rights
treaties, parents and children enjoy special rights, particular to their
status. The rights cover:
 best interests of the child
 responsibilities, rights and duties of parents
 separation of children
 adoption of children
 right of children to be heard
 children in the criminal process
 refugee children
 families and disability.
 Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), children are
persons under the age of eighteen.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN

 Australia is a party to seven core international human rights treaties. The rights of
parents and children are contained in article 3 of the Convention of the Rights of
the Child (CRC) and article 24(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR).
 See also articles 5, 9, 12, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 40 of the CRC, article 14(4) of the
ICCPR, article 16 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and articles 3(h), 7, 18(2) and 23 of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
WHERE DO THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN COME FROM?

 You will need to consider the particular rights accorded to parents and children when you are working
on legislation, a policy or a program that:
 relates to any aspect of the care of children, including children with a disability, by parents or other
guardians or informal carers
 relates to any aspect of the welfare of children, such as child-care arrangements
 relates to the care of children by people with disability
 provides for the removal of children from parents or other persons responsible for their care
 relates to any situation that would result in splitting up a family, or a parent and child, for example by
forcing them to live apart or become separated
 makes provision regarding the arrangements for children of parents who are imprisoned or detained
 relates to the adoption, foster care, guardianship, permanent care and informal care of children within
Australia
 relates to inter-country adoption
 relates to surrogacy
 relates to any situation that would result in preventing the reunification of the child with their family
and/or parent(s)
 relates to any aspect of out-of-home care
 relates to any aspect of the treatment of children in the criminal process, and/or
 relates to the treatment of children who are refugees or who claim refugee status.
 This list should not be regarded as exhaustive.
WHEN DO I NEED TO CONSIDER THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN?

What other rights and freedoms relate to
the rights of parents and children?
 The rights of parents and children may be relevant to:
 the right to freedom from arbitrary or unlawful interference with the
privacy of the family under article 17 of the ICCPR
 the right to protection of the family under article 23 of the ICCPR
 fair trial and fair hearing rights under article 14 of the ICCPR
 the obligation to separate children accused of criminal offences from
adults in article 10(2) of the ICCPR
 minimum guarantees in criminal proceedings in article 14 of the ICCPR,
and/or
 the right to protection against exploitation, violence and abuse

Where can I read more about the rights of
parents and children?
 United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human
Rights Bodies (human rights treaty bodies that monitor implementation of
thecore international human rights treaties)
 UN Human Rights Committee General Comment No 17
 UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No 10 (on
children's rights in juvenile justice)
 UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No 6 (on
treatment of unaccompanied and separated children outside their country of
origin)
 Attorney-General's Department - Inter-country adoption
 UN Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
 United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile
Justice (Beijing Rules)
 Protecting Children is Everyone's Business: the National Framework for
Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020
 National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-
2022

The appropriate way of looking at this question, as quoted by Margaret Thatcher “We cannot
learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another, until we speak quietly enough so
that our words can be heard as well as our voices”. As early invention is one of the
underpinning values and philosophy of this sector and work environment and is an important
investment in the future of children, families, and the community, in providing important
building blocks that develop resilience to, or skills to avoid, challenges that may be faced,
particularly at key turning points and transitions in people lives. (As with the above scenario)
Government investment in early intervention also potentially avoids or reduces the need to
direct significant amounts of public money in the future toward the lengthy and expensive
programs that are required to address serious and engrained problems
“Access and Equity” is about removing the obstacles and addressing the opportunities created
in this process. In CSW this means ensuring that people with differing individual needs and
abilities have the same opportunities to successfully gain the necessary skills, knowledge and
experience through education and training irrespective of their age, disability, colour, race,
gender, religion, sexuality, family responsibilities or location. In understanding and addressing
the Community Service needs of everyone, with the aide of Diversity in recognising and
valuing of individual differences. “Disability” the definition under the Act is broad and includes
physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, learning neurological, physical disfigurement and the
presence of the body of disease causing organisms. So as you can imagine there is a lot of
scope in dealing with “Access and Equity” and Equity, it also understands the relevant
legislation that protects you and your client/aspirant and gives both parties choice of
opportunity in developing the process involved.
SUMMARY

Now we have the basic concepts, and understanding of
the question above “Using books in counselling and
therapy with children.” The perception I have absorbed
through reading through this vast array of material on this
subject matter. One must draw the conclusion the parents
are a child’s first point of interaction with a counsellor in a
therapy setting. But unfortunately this is not happening in
Australia as much as it use to, the proof is in the statics
46% of the Australian Adult population is lacking in some
from of literacy. “The Australian Bureau of Statistics
estimates that 7.3 million Australians - almost half the
adult population - have problems with literacy. These
people often struggle to hold down jobs, balance their
household budget and just make their way through each
day”.
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter6102
008

 The ironic distortion to this question is that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders (A & TSI) example: {Warning. Australian Stories may contain the
names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now
deceased. Australian Stories also contain links to sites that may use images of
Aboriginal and Islander people now deceased.
 The Dreaming for Australian Indigenous people (sometimes referred to as the
Dreamtime or Dreamtimes) is when the Ancestral Beings moved across the land
and created life and significant geographic features.
 The Dreaming, or 'Tjukurrpa', also means to 'see and understand the law' as it is
translated from the Arrernte language (Frank Gillen with Baldwin Spencer,
translating an Arrernte word Altyerrenge).
 Dreaming stories pass on important knowledge, cultural values and belief
systems to later generations. Through song, dance, painting and storytelling,
which express the dreaming stories, Aborigines have maintained a link with the
Dreaming from ancient times to today, creating a rich cultural heritage.
 Aborigines have the longest continuous cultural history of any group of people on
Earth. Estimates date this history between 50,000 and 65,000 years.
Before European settlement of Australia, there were around 600 different
Aboriginal, based on language groups.} Having being doing this education with
their children reading and telling stories, for thousands of years before we show
up.
 (http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/dreaming)
MY OWN ANALOGY OF THIS CRISIS

 These following short videos really show and explain, the
results that books have in counselling and therapy with
children. With the previous slide also indicates that the
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders, where story telling,
and passing the information on from generation to
generation successfully. The A & TSI could use there
knowledge and wisdom in teaching our children, about their
cultural. Especially the dreaming, spiritual connection to the
land and one another. I know a lot of individual groups are
trying to bridge the gaps within the communities through out
Australia, as demonstrated in this video clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wJ8OcUXubI

 I still try and think logical about this subject. But sometimes I wonder what if the
shoe was one the other foot. They come into our communities and tell us we have
to learn their language and culture. How would you re-act to this situation?
Would you accept it or rebel? This is what the English did to them. EXAMPLE:
 MANINGRIDA NT [https://bepartofthehealing.org/EldersReport.pdf]
 You want to come here? Ok, you support us. I’ll show you healing, but no you coming
here and saying hello and that’s all. You come here for the money. You don’t come
here for healing us. We don’t have the right support here. Balanda (white people)
should listen to us. Walk around, talk to the families and learn from them. People feel
sorry, but they need to be guided and directed to help our healing. We need support –
especially for suicide. Those things that Balanda (white people) bring here are
changing us. Little by little, we are growing up, losing our cultural way. The
Government is bringing us harder things that we don’t understand. They want to teach
us Balanda (white people) way. We want to teach them Yolgnu way. Instead our
culture is being shattered away. The kids are fighting, whole families have started
fighting, this kind of trouble has never happened before. We have never seen this
before. We are not walking free anymore. We have something in us, a problem that
we don’t handle within our families. We have been split in half – Balanda (white
people) way and blackfella way – so now we are starting to lose our Aboriginal culture.
Grog, suicide, gunja, smoking, it’s taking us nowhere. We can’t fix our families. We’re
trying to get our kids to follow culture, trying to keep our culture moving with us, but
nobody is supporting us with this. I’m angry because nobody is helping us with
culture. We need to hold this culture until we die and along the way hand it on to our
children.

 These testimonials are vital in developing some understanding of the
underlying problems and social impacts on the indigenous populations in
Australia. I can personally testify to the immense detrimental impact of
the invasion of their land and culture. As I was born in WA in 1968, I have
seen with my own eyes many of these things the above elders talk
about, and therefore can really understand a lot the differences in our
Cultures. Therefore I walked in the Indigenous shoes, even being walk-
about them and I know this should be a compulsory component for
anyone wanting to work in the Indigenous Health Care and Community
Work as this will definitely enlighten the individual to the serious of
understanding the culture differences between the two cultures. As I
have experience this myself and know some individuals might even die if
they try living in an indigenous culture without the guidance from the
elders of the community. Number one is the person/CSW has had the
right training and induction from day one of their employment. Number
two is the person/CSW is affiliated and is mentor and monitor for a period
of time not just fed straight on to the client. Number three the
organisation is constantly reviewing its policies as the legislation is
change or is ratify. Number four that the clients is understood and to best
of the organisation ability the client is listen to and heard and are
included in all decision involving their care plan or affecting them in any
way.

 So in summary there is a multitude of variables involved in this Question
“Using books in counselling and therapy with children” as there is quite a
lot of research involved in understanding this evolving and forever
changing environment that we are immerse in from birth and in some
religions/philosophy even before birth. That is why it’s important to
understand culture diversity and the many groups involved in this subject.
Myself personally does believe in building a just society and this
encompasses us to embrace in the generous nature of God and
acknowledge each other as people made in the image of God. As a
majority of Australian know some form of Christianity, and in that faith
showing hospitality and care for the stranger and our neighbours, is the
foundation for a healthy and inclusive communities. God calls us
together, to work in love and to provide safety and shelter.
 This is the where the bitumen hits the road, because ‘books’ have survive
thousand of years, not necessarily in the modern form we have today.
What I am referring to is like the rock art, which is a visual book of history.
{An archaeologist says he has found the oldest piece of rock art in
Australia and one of the oldest in the world: an Aboriginal work created
28,000 years ago in an outback cave. The dating of one of the thousands
of images in the Northern Territory rock shelter, known as Nawarla
Gabarnmang, will be published in the next edition of the Journal of
Archaeological Science.}
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/18/rock-australia-art
WRAPPING IT UP

 With understanding and acceptance of our country as a multi-
faith and multicultural society, then we can develop an ethical
and inclusive Australia. It is only through hope for peace in our
communities, and the global sphere that depends on
collaboration as a nation to eradicate the violence of racism and
xenophobia, while maintaining respect for each other and for
our differences. In a genuine commitment to reconciliation,
collaboration for an ethical society and this means willingness
to share all of our experiences hurts as well as our wisdom and
expertise. In this reciprocal relationship environment is the way
forwarded in developing communities of shared values,
challenges and equal opportunities, founded on a sense of
trust, hope and emulated among all Australians. This enables us
to live the visions of justice, hope, and peace, which is situated
in the heart of all-Christian, religious beliefs/traditions.

 So if we don’t act on this subject, the consequences are gave. The following
article, really shows the results of doing nothing.
 Foreword | Youth offenders are complex and challenging for policymakers and
practitioners alike and face high risks for long-term disadvantage and social
marginalisation. In many cases, this marginalisation from the mainstream begins
in early life, particularly in the classroom, where they have difficulty both with
language/literacy tasks and with the interpersonal demands of the classroom.
Underlying both sets of skills is oral language competence—the ability to use and
understand spoken language in a range of situations and social exchanges, in
order to successfully negotiate the business of everyday life. This paper
highlights an emerging field of research that focuses specifically on the oral
language skills of high-risk young people. It presents evidence from Australia and
overseas that demonstrates that high proportions (some 50% in Australian
studies) of young offenders have a clinically significant, but previously
undetected, oral language disorder. The evidence presented in this paper raises
important questions about how young offenders engage in forensic interviews,
whether as suspects, victims or witnesses. The delivery of highly verbally
mediated interventions such as counselling and restorative justice conferencing is
also considered in the light of emerging international evidence on this topic.
 Adam Tomison
Director (Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, April 2012)
 http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/421-440/tandi435.html
CONCLUSION

 https://www.coag.gov.au/closing_the_gap_in_indigenous_disadvantage#Supporting%20Indigenous%20E
arly%20Childhood%20Development

 Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes
 The National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes, agreed by
COAG in 2008, commits governments to around $1.6 billion of expenditure over four years. Key activities
during 2010-11 included the rollout of smoking cessation and reduction programs, and training of workers
to support these programs
 My own analogy crisis
 The ironic distortion to this question is that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (A & TSI) example:
{Warning. Australian Stories may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people now deceased. Australian Stories also contain links to sites that may use images of Aboriginal
and Islander people now deceased.
 The Dreaming for Australian Indigenous people (sometimes referred to as the Dreamtime or Dreamtimes)
is when the Ancestral Beings moved across the land and created life and significant geographic features.
 The Dreaming, or 'Tjukurrpa', also means to 'see and understand the law' as it is translated from the
Arrernte language (Frank Gillen with Baldwin Spencer, translating an Arrernte word Altyerrenge).
 Dreaming stories pass on important knowledge, cultural values and belief systems to later generations.
Through song, dance, painting and storytelling, which express the dreaming stories, Aborigines have
maintained a link with the Dreaming from ancient times to today, creating a rich cultural heritage.
 Aborigines have the longest continuous cultural history of any group of people on Earth. Estimates date
this history between 50,000 and 65,000 years. Before European settlement of Australia, there were
around 600 different Aboriginal, based on language groups.} Having being doing this education with their
children reading and telling stories, for thousands of years before we show up.
 (http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/dreaming)
 http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/quentin-bryce-joins-ilf-as-its-patron.html
FURTHER HELPFUL REFERENCES

 http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/quentin-bryce-joins-ilf-as-its-patron.html
 Quentin Bryce joins ILF as its Patron
 06 FEBRUARY 2015
 Share this article:

PERMISSION GIVEN BY: DANIELLE GUINEA
 The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of the Honourable Quentin
Bryce AD CVO as its Patron in 2015.
 In this role Quentin Bryce will help to leverage awareness and funding for the Foundation’s work to
address literacy levels in remote communities across Australia.
 Quentin Bryce said that in her role as Governor General she had travelled extensively to many remote
communities across Australia and seen the huge challenges and barriers to literacy.
 Quentin said she cares deeply about equality of opportunity for Indigenous Australians, and especially in
education, in giving children the best start.
 “We know that literacy is the key to choice, to income security, to developing potential – and it is the key
to an enriching and rewarding life. That is why the work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is so
important”, she said.
 The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that has delivered over 120,000 free and
culturally appropriate books to more than 250 remote Indigenous communities and service organisations
across Australia. Resources are an essential first step in communities where there are simply no books in
homes, no bookshops and where only 36% of the population can access a library.
 In its four years as a Foundation, ILF has published and funded over 40 community literacy projects,
many of which have been published in first languages.
 The Foundation’s core aim is to address literacy at the earliest age and its early literacy Book Buzz
project works in a small number of communities. In one of these, Warburton, books have been translated
into first language and have helped significantly improve literacy standards within the community.
 One of Ms Bryce’s first roles in 2015 will be to launch a beautiful facsimile edition of THE LEGENDS OF
MOONIE JARL, the first Aboriginal children’s book in Australia, originally published in 1964.
 Quentin Bryce was the 25th Governor-General of Australia, holding office from September 2008-March
2014. She was the first woman to hold the position, and was previously the Governor of Queensland
2003-2008.
 For further information please contact Karen Williams, Executive Director on (02) 9280 0655 or
mobile: 04040 75924

 Media Release – 11 February 2015 Continued efforts required to Close the Gap Reconciliation Australia
CEO Justin Mohamed has called on the Federal Government to increase efforts towards reducing
inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. Following the
Prime Minister’s Closing the Gap report, Mr Mohamed has urged the Government to listen to the voices
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and support the recommendations in the Close the Gap
campaign’s shadow report. “Today’s reports clearly show that we cannot take our foot off the accelerator
and we need comprehensive and considered approaches to a wide range of issues,” Mr Mohamed said.
“Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage is complex. It is the result of decades of discrimination and
neglect, and it will take nuanced and sustained effort from all sectors of Australian society to overcome,”
he said. “The Federal Government has an important role in leading the way through continued
investment and prioritising the Closing the Gaps targets. “We need to take inspiration from the gains we
have made and increase our efforts in areas that have stagnated. The improvements we see in infant
mortality and early childhood education are proof that progress can be made and that investment today
pays off down the track,” Mr Mohamed said. “We have seen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
sector lead the way—not only in outcomes but also as one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people. The solutions to the education, employment and incarceration challenges
we face today lie in working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said. Mr
Mohamed emphasised that the uncertainty created by recent budget cuts and rapid changes to funding
arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations is an impediment to progress which
we cannot afford and echoed calls for no further cuts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs
programs in the upcoming budget. “The Government’s report is a transparent and frank assessment of
the current situation. It shows we need strategic approaches developed in partnership with Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples and accompanied by sustained investment,” Mr Mohamed said.
“Heeding the recommendations of the Close the Gap Steering Committee is a tangible way the
Government can demonstrate it is listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
 https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Reconciliation-Australia-Continued-efforts-
required-to-close-the-gap.pdf

 Introducing The Pyjama Foundation
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx2HbgsT9nQ
 Children in foster care
 The issue is that there are now 39 000 children in foster care in Australia. These children have been
removed from their original homes for their own safety, and have often missed out on many positive
experiences life has to offer. This pool of children also has the worst educational outcomes of any group
of children in Australia (AIHW). Statistics also show that 92% of children in foster care have below
average reading skills by the time they are only seven years of age, and it is a struggle for them to catch
up. The single most important activity you can do to improve your children’s literacy skills is to read book
aloud to them. So that is what The Pyjama Foundation does.

 Why reading is important for babies and young children
 Sharing stories, talking and singing every day helps your child’s development. You’re helping your
child become familiar with sounds, words, language and the value of books. This all builds your child’s
early literacy skills, helping him to go on to read successfully later in life.
 Reading stories sparks your child’s imagination, stimulates curiosity and helps with brain
development. Interesting illustrations and word patterns – such as rhymes – can get your child talking
about what she’s seeing and thinking, and help her understand the patterns of language. Exploring
stories also helps her learn the difference between ‘real’ and ‘make-believe’.
 Sharing stories with your child doesn’t mean you have to read. Just by looking at books with your
child, you can be a great storyteller and a good model for using language and books. Your child will learn
by watching you hold a book the right way and seeing how you move through the book by gently turning
the pages.
 Reading or telling stories can also be safe ways to explore strong emotions, which can help your child
understand new or frightening events. Books about going to the dentist or hospital, starting at child care
or making new friends will help your child learn about the world around him.
 Reading stories with children has benefits for grown-ups too. This special time together promotes
bonding and helps to build your relationship, laying the groundwork for your child’s later social,
communication and interpersonal skills.
 http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/reading.html

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