On 10 February 2026, members of PCNSW’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities & Palliative Care Professional Network attended an online member circle on Caring Together: Co-designing a Culturally Safe Paediatric Palliative Care Resource. The session explored Caring Together – an introduction to paediatric palliative care, a resource designed to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Presented by Alessia Aielli from Palliative Care Australia, the session highlighted the importance of providing clear, culturally safe information to help families understand paediatric palliative care and feel supported throughout their child’s illness.
The Caring Together resource was developed through a co-design process, bringing together health professionals and people with lived experience. This approach ensured the resource reflects the needs and experiences of families, while supporting health professionals in their communication and care.
The session explored how the project responds to gaps in accessible information, particularly for families with diverse language needs or lower health literacy. The resource is available in multiple formats, including Easy English, as well as translations in Arabic and Vietnamese, to support broader access.
A key theme of the discussion was the importance of working in partnership with communities. Rather than assuming what is appropriate, the project engaged community organisations and reviewers to guide translation and adaptation, recognising that culturally safe communication extends beyond language to include context, values and lived experience.
Participants also heard how the resource can be used in practice, including as a tool to support compassionate conversations, build understanding and create space for families to express what matters most.
The session highlighted that this work is complex and evolving. A one-size-fits-all approach does not meet the needs of all families, and flexibility, openness and a willingness to learn are essential to delivering meaningful, culturally safe palliative care.
Find out more about the Caring Together resource: https://paediatricpalliativecare.org.au/resource/caring-together-resources-an-introduction-to-paediatric-palliative-care/
Members of PCNSW can join the CALD Communities & Palliative Care Professional Network here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DBDRM69
This article was written by Alessia Aielli (Palliative Care Australia).