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4. Kinship and its implications

Kinship is an integral part of Aboriginal culture and may impact on the way Indigenous peoples utilize services. The concept of family is very different for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It often includes a much wider extended family, sometimes placed across several households. There is a clear focus on mutual obligations and sharing within the extended family. This can mean that the services and resources you provide to an Aboriginal client may be redistributed across other households. The care and financial support of a child may also be shared by the extended family, with different members taking on different roles. It is important to understand the concept of kinship and offer a service that addresses the family obligations that many Indigenous clients experience.