Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi everyone,

I would guess you may describe me as an out of town student or a distance learner - in fact a really long distance learner

I am working on Unit CHCECE026 - Working in Partnership with Families to provide appropriate Education and Care for Children.

Has anyone any personal experience, information or could signpost me to a website please? I am attempting to answer a question:

Q "Australia has a specific privacy law on sharing personal information. What is some cultural sensitive information which need to be considered before deciding who to share information with?"

I have read and researched a fair bit now and considered the Australian Law Reform Commission, I have read reports and documents on a number of websites.. I have checked out the NQF / ACEQA web page as well as the NQS PLP resources

I have studied the Privacy Act and I have established what is 'Personal Information', I have also looked into 'Sensitive Information'& 'Private Information' - I am unaware of and can not find any explanation as to what is or find any examples of "cultural sensitive information", its a fascinating topic and I have learnt so much from my studies - I have even emailed The States Records Department, awaiting reply...

I am sure it will be so simple but would really appreciate a leg up on this one?

Can anyone help identify for me "Cultural Sensitive Information" please?

Hi Everyone,

I noticed that there were a number of people who had viewed my post but had no replies, I though that I would pop on here some more detail of the direction I decided to take this in case it should help anyone else to the future..

It may have been the way in which I was reading the question but my college offered the below as inspiration..

Defining “Culturally Sensitive Information”

Sensitive information’ is defined in the (Australian) Privacy Act to mean information or an opinion about an individual’s:
 racial or ethnic origin;
 political opinions;
 membership of a political association;
 religious beliefs or affiliations;
 philosophical beliefs;
 membership of a professional or trade association;
 membership of a trade union;
 sexual preferences or practices; or
 criminal record.

From “The Privacy Act: Some Important Definitions” found at http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/6.% ... nformation

I’ve found it hard to find an exact definition, but culturally sensitive information would include some of the above – particularly information about racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs or affiliations.

The above is looking at “ culturally sensitive information” from a privacy point of view. “There is another aspect as well – which is stressed in many Australian qualifications – the aspect of working with other communities and cultural groups.

From this I think we could say that culturally sensitive information, is information which has been carefully considered in an attempt to avoid possible offensiveness, and misinterpretation, to people of other cultures and minority groups in a society. This could refer to the gathering of information and the dissemination of information.