The value of diversity in lived experience work

Lydia Trowse and Bec Edser, Emerging Minds, Australia, January 2024

Resource Summary

This resource is part of a case study on the Lived Experience Network: a co-designed group of lived experience system advisors established within the South Australian Government’s Department of Human Services (DHS) Early Intervention Research Directorate (EIRD). The Network aims to ensure the voices of children and families are included in the planning, monitoring and review of the Child and Family Support System.

We recommend exploring how and why the Lived Experience Network was formed before reading this resource.

The Lived Experience Network had a strong desire to capture a diverse representation of voices from within their community.

Membership aims to represent diversity and intersectionality by including parents and carers who are from culturally and linguistically diverse, regional, LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal families, alongside families with additional needs, fathers, and single parents.

In the following audio clip (3 minutes, 21 seconds), Lived Experience Network members discuss the value of diversity.

For more tips on ensuring a variety of voices are able to be heard, both in terms of experiences and background, head to the ‘Family circumstances’ section of our Child and Family Partnerships Toolkit.

 

Supporting diverse needs

People with lived experience will bring with them much valuable knowledge about living with adversity, along with their many and varied individual strengths. But there will also be areas that require a little extra support to ensure people with lived experience can participate fully.

In the following video (4 minutes, 58 seconds), Lived Experience Network members discuss ways to support the diverse needs of lived experience partners.

How to turn on video subtitles

To turn on subtitles/closed captions for this video, select the ‘CC’ icon in the lower right of the video screen and under ‘CC/Subtitles’, select ‘English’.

Reflection activity

Take a moment to consider the following question:

  • Who might be able to tell you more about the diverse experiences and backgrounds of people in the community in which you’re working?

 

Keeping children in mind

The parents involved in the Lived Experience Network are motivated to improve outcomes for all children in their community. In the following video (3 minutes, 30 seconds), network members talk about how the work they’re doing will benefit children.

How to turn on video subtitles

To turn on subtitles/closed captions for this video, select the ‘CC’ icon in the lower right of the video screen and under ‘CC/Subtitles’, select ‘English’.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states:

‘When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account.’

For more information on engaging children with lived experience in your work, visit the ‘Children and young people’ section of our Child and Family Partnerships Toolkit.

Remember that no matter how small, the voices of children and young people are important. What would your organisation need to have in place to create a safe and effective environment for children to be engaged in lived experience activities?

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience

Developing partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in your work is both necessary and rewarding.

In the following video (1 minute, 35 seconds), Dana shares some of the ways Aboriginal voices and wisdom were woven throughout the project.

How to turn on video subtitles

To turn on subtitles/closed captions for this video, select the ‘CC’ icon in the lower right of the video screen and under ‘CC/Subtitles’, select ‘English’.

Reflection activity

Take a moment to reflect on the following question:

  • What knowledge might you need to enable you to respectfully, safely and effectively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities? How might you gain this knowledge?

Emerging Minds would like to acknowledge the following Lived Experience Network Alumni, consultants and coordinator who have so generously shared their insights and wisdom for this project:

Shelly, Mirja, Jasmine, Wei, Jamie, Lemy, Chloe, Dana, Mel and Yasmin.

We thank them for investing their time and energy into creating this case study for others to learn from. You can learn more about what the alumni are up to now.

For more examples of ways to incorporate lived experience wisdom into your practice, please check out our other child and family partnership case studies.

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