Aboriginal children in urban areas often experience fragmented care and can have unmet developmental, social and emotional wellbeing needs. To address this, Community Paediatrics redesigned its services to provide more culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and partnership-based care.
The redesign was informed by a cultural audit and yarning with Aboriginal families and partners. Feedback identified gaps in access, coordination, and cultural responsiveness. As a result, the service introduced an Aboriginal Health Worker, expanded clinical yarning, and used a new care approach guided by Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, and informed by family-defined goals. Partnerships across Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the First 2,000 Days program, GP shared care, the NSW Department of Education and family services improved coordination and access to care.
Since the redesign, service delivery has more than tripled from 269 appointments in 2020 to 875 in 2024, with sustained attendance at 75%. Cultural support increased from 62.5% to 89.1%, and family feedback showed high cultural safety, with 94% feeling respected, 90% feeling safe, and 84% reporting increased pride and support.
