Aboriginal Australians’ Perceptions of Non-Aboriginal Social Workers: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Social work with Aboriginal Australians presents significant challenges for non-Aboriginal social workers, due to complex historical, cultural, and political factors. This article explores the perceptions of 13 Aboriginal Australians who participated in a qualitative study examining how non-Aboriginal social workers navigate the challenges of contemporary practice. Aboriginal participants identified the following issues: that non-Aboriginal social workers had limited understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonisation and of child removal, that racist attitudes endure, and that culturally safe practice is not always evident. They described receiving insufficient support for self-determination from social workers and noted a tendency for social workers to disregard the impacts of their own professional power. Participants made corresponding suggestions for improvement: that social workers should be open to learning from Aboriginal Australians and willing to engage in honest and authentic relationships, and that universities and training organisations should provide more comprehensive preparation for social work practice with Aboriginal Peoples. By centring the voices of Aboriginal Australians, this article offers insights and suggestions for how social work can better serve and support the self-determination of Aboriginal Australians. IMPLICATIONS: Listening to and learning from Aboriginal people is critical to improved social work practice. Being trustworthy and building authentic relationships where power imbalances are dealt with honestly supports good practice. Social work training should include comprehensive education on ongoing effects of racist policies, particularly child removal.