Settlement Services International

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Juliet Dean
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1 Settlement Services International RESPONDING TO YOUNG PEOPLE S NEEDS IN HSS 16 th July 2013

2 Settlement Services International SSI is the peak state-wide representative body for the 11 Migrant Resource Centres and Multicultural Services across NSW. SSI Member organisations include: Metro MRC St George MRC Fairfield MRC Liverpool MRC SydWest Multicultural Services Auburn Diversity Services Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative Community MRC Illawarra Multicultural Services Northern Settlement Services Sydney Multicultural Community Services

3 Vision To achieve a society that values the diversity of its people and actively provides support to ensure meaningful social and economic participation and to assist individuals and families reach their potential. Our Vision and Mission is captured in our brand: Settlement Support Independence

4 Program Streams SSI delivers two main program streams: 1. Humanitarian Services Humanitarian Settlement Services Program (HSS) Community Support Programs (CSP) Accommodation Services 2. Family and Children Services Out-Of-Home Care Program (OOHC) Specialty Training for Mainstream Foster Care Providers

5 Young People in HSS Young People in HSS are generally - Unaccompanied minors arrived without a suitable carer - Part of a family unit arrived with their family - Single and over 18 In 2012/13 SSI supported approx 60 unaccompanied humanitarian minors and just over 2000 individuals between

6 Refugee Youth Support Project Partnership with MYAN NSW to evaluate effectiveness of youth support and to develop tools to support the Youth Sub Plan SSI funded the MYAN state coordinator for 2 days per week to speak with clients and workers and to make recommendations to SSI management Result was the development of a Youthwork Guide and training program for youth workers

7 What Young People Said? The young people were asked about the challenges they face. They are summarised as: Risk of homelessnes Effects of being in detention for extended periods, i.e. over a year Experience is not enough, you need a qualification to work Breakdown of the guardian/ UHM relationship Risk of homelessness Having to report to Centrelink when receiving Youth Allowance (sometimes during school hours) Relying on Centrelink and not having much money.

8 Developing a Youth Framework Working with youth requires a unique approach including: Recognising the young person as having distinct needs from the family Acknowledging the role of the young person within the family Developing trust and respect Understanding developmental needs Having attention to early intervention approaches

background needed to be approached and understood within 4

9 Young People from Refugee Backgrounds The Youth Support and Coordination Project found that young people from a refugee background needed to be approached and understood within 4 broad domains: Culture Settlement Refugee experience Adolescence Young Person

10 Adolescence This domain relates to the need to have an understanding of adolescent development. This includes having attention to: Physical, intellectual and sexual changes Increased desire for independence Development of identity independent of family Increasing adult responsibilities and exposure to risk Young people from refugee background experience the same challenges.

11 Refugee Experience This domain relates to the need to have an appreciation for the journey that has taken place before arrival to Australia and prior to visa grant. This may include: Experiences of torture and trauma Experiences in detention Loss of family and friend Loss of identity To gain an appreciation of this requires trust, respect and safety

12 Settlement The settlement domain requires an understanding of the clients settlement goals and desires as well as an appreciation of the indicators of effective settlement which include: Social and economic participation Language skills Safe and secure accommodation Personal and emotional wellbeing

13 Culture The culture domain requires having an understanding of how culture makes up the young person s identity and world view. It helps to frame what is important to the young person and create a sense of belonging. Young people from a refugee background will often develop a blended sense of culture and will often adjust to meet the differing expectations of the people around them.

14 Culture

15 Summary

16 2 stage Assessment 1. On arrival immediate needs (3 days) 2. Comprehensive Care Plan (4 weeks) Quarterly reviews Training for all staff

17 Culture Potential Influences Possible Strengths Possible Needs Possible Actions Individual, family and community expectations Religious conflicts and expectations Conflict between tradition and the host culture Interpretation of social interactions Disengagement from or rejection of traditional culture Access to local support networks Sense of hope and belonging to a community Purpose and guidance from family, religious and community leaders Assistance to reconcile new cultural expectation amongst Australian community Navigating new rights and responsibilities in Australian culture Negotiate differences in expectations between parents, self, peers and community Link to cultural groups and activities Link to creative and arts programs which may encourage cultural expression such as dance or music programs Provide opportunities to reconcile conflict between traditional culture and Australian values

19 Good Practice Settlement programs supporting young people should: Be designed and delivered in response to the particular settlement needs of young people Utilise strength-based and youth participation approaches Provide targeted support to young people to access services and programs Provide opportunities for young people to participate and engage in the community Address racism and discrimination. (MYAN Australia, 2011, 7)

Further Youth Initiatives i. Youth discovery tours followed by a sporting activity topics included youth services tour, sexual health sessions, domestic violence, mental health.

20 Further Youth Initiatives i. Youth discovery tours followed by a sporting activity topics included youth services tour, sexual health sessions, domestic violence, mental health. Provided opportunity for education as well as peer interaction and support ii. iii. iv. Developed internal youth committee to review youth practices and recommend innovative approaches to supporting youth. Includes annual youth consultation. Youth specific orientation sessions Advocacy re youth needs v. Engagement with mainstream youth services to support cultural competency with youth from a refugee background

SUBMISSION to JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION: INQUIRY INTO MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA

SUBMISSION to JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION: INQUIRY INTO MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA April 2011 c/- Centre for Multicultural Youth 304 Drummond Street Carlton VIC 3053 P (03) 9340 3700 F (03)