PERSPECTIVES & THEORIES IN OSHC

Larry Purnell - Model for Cultural Competence

Larry Purnell’s Model for Cultural Competence gives OSHC educators a clear, practical way to strengthen culturally responsive practice—moving beyond “good intentions” to everyday actions that support children’s belonging, identity, and wellbeing. In this module, you’ll learn the model in plain language, hear a creative “voice of Larry Purnell” narrative (educational purpose only), listen to educators plan implementation, hear an Educational Leader interview on mentoring cultural competence in a real service, work through a realistic case study, and complete a critical reflection using the Circle of Change (revised) so learning becomes visible in daily practice.
Format

Online
Module

Author

Belinda Wright

Duration

45 - 60 mins

Price

$
49

About the module

Cultural competence in OSHC isn’t a one-off training or a checklist—it’s the daily practice of noticing, respecting, and responding to the cultural identities, family practices, and lived experiences children bring with them. Purnell’s model helps educators build a more structured understanding of culture and the many domains that influence how children experience care, communication, relationships, routines, food, wellbeing, learning, and belonging.

This module supports educators and Educational Leaders to use the model as a practical lens for:
  • strengthening relationships with children and families
  • creating inclusive environments and routines
  • improving communication and reducing misunderstandings
  • mentoring teams to reflect, adjust, and grow with cultural integrity

Understand the model

A clear introduction to Purnell’s Model—what cultural competence is, how the framework works, and how it applies to OSHC.

See it in practice + leadership

Bring the model to life through a “voice of the theorist” narrative, educator implementation dialogue, a real case study, and an Educational Leader interview on mentoring cultural competence in a service.

Reflect → improve

Use the Circle of Change (revised): Deconstruct → Confront → Theorise → Think Otherwise, then consolidate in “What have I learnt?” with one next step to trial.

 How this module works 

This module follows a consistent, educator-friendly structure:
  • Introduction to Larry Purnell + What is cultural competence?
    A practical overview of the Model and how it supports inclusive OSHC practice.
  • “Let’s hear from Larry Purnell”
    A short creative narrative where “Larry” speaks to using the Model in an OSHC context (educational purpose only).
  • Educator dialogue: implementing the Model
    A realistic conversation between educators after completing the module—brainstorming how to use the Model in routines, relationships, communication, and program decisions.
  • Interview: Educational Leader perspective
    A grounded interview focused on:
    - what cultural competence looks like in everyday OSHC practice
    - how the Educational Leader mentors and coaches teams
    - how to move beyond “celebrations” to embedded practice
    - what to watch for (and what to do when gaps appear)
  • OSHC case study: using the Model in real moments
    A scenario that helps educators see how cultural competence plays out during typical OSHC situations (arrival, food, play, group dynamics, conflict/repair, communication with families).
  • Critical reflection (Circle of Change – revised)
    Deconstruct → Confront → Theorise → Think Otherwise to identify assumptions, reduce bias, and strengthen culturally safe practice.
  • What have I learnt?
    A short consolidation step to name key takeaways and commit to one practical change to trial.
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The “Let’s hear from…” section is a creative narrative designed for educator learning and is not a direct quote from published works.

What educators will be able to do after this module

Educators who complete this module will be better able to:
  • Use a clear framework to reflect on how culture shapes children’s experiences in OSHC 
  • Strengthen communication with children and families (especially when expectations differ)
  • Identify “default” practices that may unintentionally exclude or misunderstand
  • Make small, meaningful adjustments to routines, environments, and interactions
  • Participate in team conversations about inclusion with more clarity and confidence

Who this module is for

  • OSHC educators wanting practical tools to strengthen inclusive, culturally responsive practice
  • Educational Leaders / service leaders mentoring teams toward consistent cultural competence (beyond tokenistic actions)
If you want inclusion to be something children feel—not something we say—this module will help.

Belinda Wright

Founder | Director of Learning | OSHCologist | Researcher

I’m Belinda Wright—an OSHC practitioner, leader, and learning designer with almost two decades in the sector. I’ve completed a Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning & Leadership) and I’m currently completing a Master of Education (Learning & Leadership), with research focused on educational leadership in OSHC. This course is designed to make theory practical—so educators can use it to deepen observations, strengthen pedagogy, and improve everyday practice.