This collaborative project with Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation aims to shift the focus of interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children in care. By integrating Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), we seek to transform traditional behaviour management plans into Cultural Healing Plans.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families remain over represented in our care system. Through Australia’s difficult history, Aboriginal families have been impacted through intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnection, powerlessness, and poor health outcomes. Health systems frequently propose changes through a Western lens, which fails to resonate culturally or yield meaningful results for these communities. Consequently, many interventions, such as NDIS Behaviour Support plans, become mere formalities, lacking cultural relevance.

DDP offers a framework that facilitates deep listening and understanding of the stories and experiences of these families. It encourages exploration without haste or predefined agendas, fostering outcomes that are meaningful and culturally aligned. This approach emphasizes connection with culture and identity.

Our work involved collaborating with Burrun Dalai staff to understand the narratives of the children and families they support. Together, we reviewed existing behaviour management plans and co-created Cultural Healing Plans that incorporate DDP principles.

This presentation highlights our process with Aboriginal families in regional NSW, detailing how we reshaped NDIS Behaviour Support Plans into Cultural Healing Plans through DDP conversations. We will discuss our methods, outcomes, lessons learned, and future goals to enhance healing and recovery for these families. Additionally, we will share reflections from the families involved.