Social Inclusion and Cultural Competence: Moving towards Cultural Safety in Research and Practice

This chapter discusses the movement away from “cultural competence” toward the negotiation of “culturally safe” practices and environments for engaging diverse communities. Firstly, the concept of cultural competency is introduced, and the strengths and limitations of this model discussed. Cultural safety is then presented as a model that extends beyond the acquisition of practitioner skills and knowledge, requiring a broader examination of power differentials inherent in research and practice, as well as concerted efforts to address such issues. Readers are provided with examples of how cultural safety can be operationalized to promote social inclusion. The chapter highlights the roles of a variety of collaborators required to ensure culturally safe approaches that engage individuals, communities, and systems. The chapter draws on upon intersectionality theory to facilitate consideration of the multiple and overlapping ways in which culturally safe approaches to research and practice can improve social inclusion and population health outcomes. The chapter concludes with a summary of the key elements of cultural safety and a guide to their implementation in research and practice.