Youth Settlement Framework Consultation Brief

Transcription

1 Youth Settlement Framework Consultation Brief February 2014

2 Contents 1. Introduction Need for a Youth Settlement Framework Guiding principles Purpose Scope Outcomes Evaluation Consultation scope Youth settlement outcomes - a conceptual framework Youth settlement outcomes - a good practice model Consultation opportunities & summary of questions References

3 1. Introduction The MYAN (Australia) is currently undertaking Stage 1 consultations on its draft Youth Settlement Framework. This Brief has been developed to provide the context and overview of the Framework and the key areas for consultation in Stage 1. Consultations will occur in two stages Stage 1, with the settlement and multicultural youth sectors, and young people; and Stage 2, with the broader youth sector and government. The draft Framework has been developed by MYAN (Australia) in consultation with the government and non-government sectors around Australia. The MYAN s Strategic Advisory Group has provided particular guidance in its development and will oversee its finalisation and implementation. The MYAN (Australia) is the nationally recognised policy and advocacy body on multicultural youth. Auspiced by the Centre for Multicultural Youth, the MYAN works in partnership with government and non-government agencies at the state and national levels to ensure that the particular needs of multicultural young people are recognised, and to support a coherent and consistent approach to addressing these needs in policy and service delivery. 1.1 Need for a Youth Settlement Framework The need for a youth settlement framework or strategy to guide service planning and delivery across the settlement and broader youth and welfare sectors, has been identified over many years 1. 20, 676 young people aged between arrived in Australia through the Humanitarian Programme between 2008 and , comprising approximately one-third of the total arrivals. More broadly, according to the 2011 census, 11% of Australia s 3.7 million young people (aged 12-24) have arrived in Australia as refugees or migrants. While there has been an increased focus over several years on meeting the settlement needs of young people in settlement services currently funded through the Department of Social Services 3, there remains no overarching framework in policy and service provision to guide service planning and delivery for young people from refugee or migrant backgrounds in Australia. This Framework seeks to build on these initiatives, and the work of multicultural youth-specific services. Young people experience settlement in ways distinct from adults and face unique settlement challenges, due to their age, developmental stage and position within the family. The particular issues and needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds are often overlooked by policy makers and service providers, as this group of young people are often viewed as a sub-group within the broader mainstream youth population and/or the multicultural population. They often fall through gaps either within the broader settlement or mainstream youth service system, because neither system necessarily provides targeted support to meet their needs. 1 See CMY (2006) Settling In: Exploring Good Settlement for Young People in Australia; Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council (RRAC), 2002; MYAN This data has been sourced from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection s Settlement Reporting Facility 3 For example, Youth Sub-Plans were introduced into the Humanitarian Settlement Services programme in 2010 and more recently, guidelines for the Settlement Grants Programme reflect an increased focus on youth services. The Reconnect Newly Arrived Youth Specialist Programme, funded through DSS housing support, is a specialist homelessness program targeting newly arrived young people. 3

4 While there have been some initiatives in settlement services over the last few years to recognise and respond to the particular needs of young people, services are primarily designed around the needs of adults and family groups. Mainstream youth services on the other hand, while youth-focussed, are commonly designed around the needs of Australian-born young people and often fail to recognise or respond to the cultural and/or settlement context of young people from refugee or migrant backgrounds. 1.2 Guiding principles Key principles underpinning the Framework are: Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds have particular settlement needs due to their developmental stage, the refugee experience and settlement. Good settlement outcomes can only be achieved for this group of young people through a targeted approach in service planning and delivery to ensure that barriers are overcome and their needs are met. Achieving good settlement outcomes for young people is the responsibility of all services, not just those settlement-specific services funded through the Department of Social Services and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Mainstream services (e.g. those funded through commonwealth, state and local governments), including those with a youth focus, have a critical role to play in ensuring that young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds receive the support they need to actively participate in the social, cultural and economic aspects of Australian society. 1.3 Purpose The Framework is designed to provide a conceptual framework for those developing policy and services to understand and respond to the particular needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in the settlement context. Its intention is to provide an Important basis for good practice rather than a comprehensive guide. Implementation of the Framework will be supported by practical resources designed for the sector, e.g. Info Sheets and training modules). These will be available nationally and designed to provide guidance on the application of the Framework to practice. 1.4 Scope The Framework is designed to inform policy and program development and delivery across government and the non-government sectors, in all areas of young people s engagement with services to support their settlement in Australia 4. This includes education and health settings, generalist youth services (including health, housing, justice, training & employment), sport and recreation, state and local government, and discreet settlement services. 4 This Framework pertains to those young people, aged 12-24, who settle in Australia through the Refugee and Humanitarian Program or through the broader Migration program (e.g. Skilled or Family migration). It does not include young people living in Australia on student visas or temporary work visas. 4

5 1.5 Outcomes Outcomes of the Framework will include: Supporting the development and delivery of policy and services that better meet the specific needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Providing the basis and opportunity for improvements in service planning and delivery for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, including improved data collection and more consistent service delivery (designed around the particular needs of this group of young people). Providing guidance on how services can be tailored to better meet the needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. 1.6 Evaluation The effectiveness of the framework will be evaluated 12 months following its release. This evaluation will include the following: A review of the framework and associated resources/tools to ensure that the information is still current and relevant. A survey of across the government and non-government sectors to ascertain the value and effectiveness of the framework. 1.7 Consultation scope Stage 1 consultations are occurring with young people, as well as the settlement and multicultural youth sectors. Stage 1 consultations will facilitate feedback on key areas of the Framework, specifically: Key dimensions for achieving good settlement outcomes for young people; Key indicators for achieving good youth settlement;; Good practice principles; and A proposed model of good practice for youth settlement. 5

6 2. Youth settlement outcomes - a conceptual framework Good settlement outcomes are understood by the MYAN as active, meaningful and sustained participation of young people in the social, cultural, and economic facets of Australian society. This means that young people are able to participate in activities that facilitate their economic, cultural and social participation, and access support to do so where required. These outcomes may also be understood as a goal for young people in the settlement journey. The MYAN understands the settlement journey as a process, rather than a period of time, marked by certain subjective and objective indicators, achievements, and competencies. With these settlement outcomes in mind, Figure 1 below, presents a conceptual framework for understanding and achieving these settlement outcomes. Figure 1 Conceptual framework for understanding and achieving settlement outcomes OUTCOMES Active participation in economic, social, cultural life of Australia KEY DIMENSIONS Social Participation Economic well-being Personal well-being Independence Life satisfaction & being connected to the community KEY INDICATORS Participation in community life sport, recreation Peer networks English language proficiency Active citizenship Engaged in education or /training Pathways towards employment English language proficiency Stable income Physical, mental & sexual health Safe, free from racism & discrimination Relationships Self-esteem Sense of agency capacity to make decisions in the context of individual, family & community Realistic goals Understanding Australian culture & society Access to & engagement in a range of (government) services Transport Multi-cultural identity positive sense of self Sense of belonging in Australia Level of cultural and religious expression Social capital Maintaining relationships with family in Australia & overseas English language proficiency 6

7 Using key dimensions and indicators, Figure 1 adapts the government s conceptual framework for understanding settlement outcomes (DIAC:2012:10) to the particular circumstances and needs of young people. It also reflects concepts of good youth settlement identified by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) 5. As the government notes, the key settlement dimensions should be understood as interrelated or intersecting. The key indicators can be used to identify what issues or aspects of a young person s life need to be addressed in order to achieve good settlement outcomes. These indicators include both systemic and life outcome indicators, with both being important to measuring settlement outcomes. Systemic indicators are critical to ensure that policy and programs are targeted to the needs of young people and that services are accessible (DIAC:2012:10). Additionally, it is important to note that these indicators will be shaped by a range of demographic factors including: gender, age of arrival in Australia, family structures and dynamics, mode of migration to Australia and migration experiences, culture and level of education prior to arrival in Australia (DIAC:2012:10). Consultation Questions 1. Youth settlement key dimensions are there others? 2. Youth settlement key indicators are there others? 5 CMY defines good settlement in terms of: material conditions, occupational needs, broader environmental factors, sense of well-being and connectedness, agency capacity to shape the future (CMY: 2006:16).The UNHCR s broad settlement goals for young people include: promoting capacity to rebuild a positive future, restoring security, control and social and economic independence, restoring confidence in political systems and institutions, promote cultural and religious integrity and restore attachments to community and culture, to counter racism and build welcoming communities (UNHCR: 2011:16). 7

8 3. Youth settlement outcomes - a good practice model Using the conceptual framework presented in Figure 1, achieving good settlement outcomes for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds requires addressing the range of key settlement indicators across each of the dimensions. Good practice principles to address these indicators include: Cultural competency Youth focus Youth development and participation Flexibility and responsiveness Collaboration Application of these principles fundamentally requires the development and delivery of programs and services that: 1. Recognise that the needs of this group of young people are distinct from adults and Australian-born young people and responds by adapting service delivery models to address these needs; 2. Apply principles and practice of youth work, including youth development and participation; 3. Apply a cultural competency framework at the individual and organisational levels; 4. Understand the refugee/migration experience cultural dislocation, trauma & resettlement as key factors in shaping young people s needs; 5. Demonstrate a commitment to Australia s policy of multiculturalism, by incorporating principles of access and equity into service planning and delivery, and addressing racism and discrimination, particularly structural or systemic discrimination; and 6. Support collaboration within and across sectors, both government and non-government, in service planning and delivery. Figure 2 below brings together the settlement outcomes, dimensions and good practice principles, presenting a model for good practice in youth settlement. 8

9 Figure 2: A model for good practice in youth settlement Applying the good practice principles at the service delivery level, across the settlement dimensions will assist in addressing the key indicators presented in Figure 1 - resulting in achieving the key settlement outcomes or settlement goals for young people. Consultation Questions 3. Good practice principles are there others? 4. How might this model of good practice apply in practice? 5. Case study examples can you provide a case study reflecting: a. How the proposed good practice model is applied in practice to support good settlement outcomes for young people? b. How your service/program addresses the key indicators and works towards achieving the youth settlement goals? We are seeking case studies from a range of sectors, including: health, education, justice, employment, sport & recreation, settlement. 9

10 4. Consultation opportunities & summary of questions Stage 1 consultations on the draft Framework will be occurring until 31 st March The MYAN is keen to hear from young people as well as those working in the multicultural youth and settlement sectors. There will be a range of opportunities to engage in consultations - details will be available on the MYAN website Responses to the consultation questions can also be submitted to the MYAN through info@myan.org.au. For further information on the Youth Settlement Framework or the consultation phase, please contact Yasmin Hassen, MYAN Project Officer, on info@myan.org.au or Nadine Liddy, MYAN National Coordinator, nadine@myan.org.au. Consultation Questions 2. Youth settlement key dimensions (Figure 1) are there others? 3. Youth settlement key indicators (Figure 1) are there others? 4. Good practice principles are there others? 5. How might this model of good practice (Figure 2) apply in practice? 6. Case study examples can you provide a case study reflecting: a. How the proposed good practice model is applied in practice to support good settlement outcomes for young people? b. How your service/program addresses the key indicators and works towards achieving the youth settlement goals? We are seeking case studies from a range of sectors, including: health, education, justice, employment, sport & recreation, settlement. 10

11 5. References Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (2006), Settling In: Exploring Good Settlement for Refugee Young People in Australia, entre for Multicultural Youth (2009), Inclusive Local Government: a guide to good practice strategies for engaging young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in local services, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (2012), The Settlement Journey: Strengthening Australia through Migration, Commonwealth of Australia. Francis S. and Cornfoot S. (2007) Multicultural Youth in Australia: Settlement and Transition. Melbourne. Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues. Refugee Council of Australia (2011). Discussion Paper: RCOA submission on Australia s Refugee and Humanitarian Program Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council (2002), Strategy for Refugee Young People, Canberra. Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2002) Part 3.3 Investing in the Future: Refugee Children and Young People, 11