Framework User Guide

Getting Started: Key Considerations

The Framework recognises that developing cultural responsiveness is an ongoing learning and unlearning journey. It is not an endpoint but an ongoing activity in which people and organisations are continually developing and growing.
We encourage the Framework to be viewed as a practical tool to support this journey, one that can be revisited and used as both a foundation and a catalyst for change.
The Framework is intended to be a tool for organisational reflection that can be used at a pace that works for your team or organisation. Before implementing the Framework, we recommend considering how best it can you used in your unique context, including who in your organisation should be involved and how iterative change can deliver meaningful, sustainable improvement.

The Embrace Project website hosts an online Knowledge Hub with recent publications, information and open access journal articles.

Overview: The Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia

The Framework is a free, nationally available online resource. It has been developed to support Australian mental health and suicide prevention services, practitioners, and others to work effectively in a multicultural context.

The Framework consists of a tailored set of modules and self-reflection tools, which allow services and workforces to evaluate and enhance their cultural responsiveness. Registered users build on their strengths and address areas for improvement in a self-paced way, with access to a range of support and resources to inform both professional and service development.

The Framework is designed to engage with services in two distinct ways:

On a service wide basis, in relation to delivery of culturally responsive care and practice
With the workforce at an individual worker level, to enable individual reflection and delivery of culturally responsive care and practice

Its interactive online format ensures the material continues to reflect current policies and best practice, with links to standards, resources and support.

Framework Summary

Introductory Module - Introduction to Cultural Competence

The Introductory Module provides a conceptual foundation in cultural responsiveness within a healthcare setting. It can be used by individual practitioners, mental health and suicide prevention services. The Introductory Module was developed by the Centre for Culture, Equity & Health.

Framework Modules

There are four modules. Together, these provide a comprehensive assessment of the cultural responsiveness of an organisation. Users can choose to start with any module that addresses a current need or priority, where they feel comfortable, or otherwise move through the modules sequentially.

Module 1: Organisational Planning to meet Multicultural Needs

‘Organisational Planning to meet Multicultural Needs’ focusses on strategic planning for mental health and suicide prevention services in a multicultural context.

Module 2: Developing Safe, Quality & Culturally Responsive Services

‘Developing Safe, Quality & Culturally Responsive Services’ takes an in depth look at how to ensure safe, quality and equitable service delivery in multicultural communities.

Module 3: Working Together to Promote Mental Health in Multicultural Communities

‘Working Together to Promote Mental Health in Multicultural Communities’ explores effective engagement with multicultural communities and stakeholders, in addition to mental health promotion and suicide prevention in a multicultural context.

Module 4: Building a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Workforce

‘Building a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Workforce’ looks at the policies and practices needed to help build a strong and culturally responsive mental health and suicide prevention workforce across Australia.

Self-Reflection Tools

The self-reflection tools provide an opportunity to undertake a brief, overview assessment of cultural responsiveness. There are two self-reflection tools available: one tailored for Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and the mental health and the suicide prevention services they commission, and the other for individual practitioners.

Getting Started with the Framework

Step 1: Registration

Registration is free, brief and available online at: framework.embracementalhealth.org.au

The first step for anyone using the Framework is to complete the online registration process. On completing registration, you will be automatically redirected to the Framework modules.

Data security

We collect your name, email address, organisation, role and location to create and manage your Embrace Framework account. We also record your course progress and activity within the Framework. Your information is stored securely in Australia, protected by encryption, and is only accessible to authorised administrators. Your data remains under the control of the Embrace project and is not shared with any other third-party cloud services.

The Framework is intended as a self-reflection tool to be used for professional and service development. The Embrace Project may access the data entered if a user has lost access to this information and would like it provided. Data is only extracted to inform ongoing evaluation and improvement of the Framework, with any reporting on Framework data to be de-identified and in aggregate form.

Step 2: Select your module or self-reflection tool

The modules and self-reflection tools have been tailored to meet the needs of different audiences. Please find below some suggestions on where to get started, based on where you are coming from:

If you are registering as a mental health or suicide prevention service:

Mental health and suicide prevention services are encouraged to work through the four service modules.

Services can choose to start with any module, depending on their current needs and priorities. If you are unsure of where to start, you can progress through the modules sequentially (i.e. from 1 to 4).

If you are registering as a Primary Health Network (PHN), or as a service commissioned by a PHN:

Services commissioned by a Primary Health Network (PHN) are encouraged to begin with the PHN Self-Reflection Tool. This tool can provide an idea of where your organisation is up to guide further work over the course of a contract. Services may wish to use this tool as a guide for which module(s) to complete in the lifespan of a contract.

After completing the PHN Self-Reflection Tool, PHNs and the mental health and suicide prevention services they commission can then target particular priorities and needs in greater depth by using any or all of the service modules.

If you are an individual practitioner...

Individual practitioners are encouraged to use the Individual Practitioner Self-Reflection Tool. This tool is designed as a self-reflection tool for individual practice, as a quick and accessible way of identifying which areas are strengths, and which areas might be focused on for further development.

Progress Levels

When undertaking a self-assessment, you are invited to reflect on your current practices in relation to the following four stages of development. These stages are intended as a flexible guide rather than fixed categories and may not fully capture the nuances of every context. They can provide a useful starting point to support reflection and dialogue, with the understanding that cultural responsiveness is an ongoing, iterative process that involves continual learning, unlearning, and growth.

Pre-entry

The organisation has limited activity in this area to date. Recognition that this area is still to be developed, or some work has been commenced and requires more thorough consideration.

Starting out

An awareness and understanding of culturally responsive mental health service delivery and practice, and a commitment to further development is identifiable in this area. Some examples of good practice can be demonstrated, and a more integrated approach needs to be developed.

Developing

A proactive approach to the implementation of culturally responsive services in this area can be demonstrated. This includes culturally targeted approaches and strategies, specialist skill development in culturally inclusive practice and the integration of cultural responsiveness into systems and practice Achievement at this level reflects a move away from ‘one-off’ examples, towards an approach that allocates time and resources to create sustained change.

Advanced

A proactive approach to the implementation of culturally responsive services in this area can be demonstrated. This includes culturally targeted approaches and strategies, specialist skill development in culturally inclusive practice and the integration of cultural responsiveness into systems and practice Achievement at this level reflects a move away from ‘one-off’ examples, towards an approach that allocates time and resources to create sustained change.

Time needed for Framework Modules & Self-Reflection Tools

The information below outlines the process and provides guidance on the expected time and resources involved in completing the modules and/or self-reflection tool.

Step	What's involved	Indicative Time
1. Introduction to Cultural Competence Training	A professional learning module focused on providing a conceptual foundation in cultural competence.	60-90 minutes
Framework Modules
1. Introductory page to each module	Read background information and watch short videos to welcome you to the module and help get you started.	15 minutes
2. Self-assessment	Engage in a reflective self-assessment process, drawing on your results and available supporting resources. Consider collaborating with others in this process to gain broader perspectives, validate insights, and identify opportunities for growth. This approach should help you recognise your strengths and explore areas for improvement.	30-60 minutes
3. Action Planning	Develop a clear, targeted action plan that builds on your identified strengths and addresses key development areas. The plan should outline practical steps, supports, and milestones, including any actions that will support progression toward the next level.	30-60 minutes
4. Implementation	Implement your action plan at your service.	Timeframes will vary, with progression occurring at a pace appropriate to each organisation’s capabilities and priorities
5. Review	Return to the framework following implementation of your action plan to review progress.	30-60 minutes