1. International Kinship Care: The Orphan Relative Project Dr Klaus Serr- ISS Australia/ La Trobe University Dr David Rose- University of Melbourne

2.  Issue a concern for a number of years  Limited research and literature base  ISS Australia 2013 Home Safe Home report examined issue in detail in Australian context:  Primarily literature/ desk-based research and analysis of official orphan relative arrival data  Foundation for the current study Background: International Kinship Care

3.  Part of the Family Migration Stream  A permanent visa allowing children to live in Australia indefinitely  The visa has two subclasses:  1) Subclass 117 is for offshore applications where children are in another country, and  2) Subclass 837 is for onshore applications for children already in Australia on another visa Orphan Relative Visa

4. Number of Orphan Relative Children and Young People Number of Children and Young People who arrived in Australia 2005 to 2015 Orphan Relative Offshore: (subclass 117)3,326 Orphan Relative: Onshore: (subclass 837)105 TOTAL3,431 Source: DSS- Settlement Reporting Facility 2016

6. Age of Children & Young People On Arrival- July 2014 to Jun 2015 (N=441)

7. Top 10 Countries of Birth of Children & Young People- July 2014 to June 2015 Country of Birth Republic of South Sudan78 Ethiopia76 Somalia71 Democratic Republic of the Congo45 Afghanistan42 Zimbabwe14 Liberia11 Burundi10 Guinea9 Kenya, Sudan, Vietnam, Philippines (equal 10 th )7 Source: DSS- Settlement Reporting Facility 2016

8. Method

9.  The current project builds on and extends the 2013 ISS Australia project  It aims to:  1) Gain a better understanding of some of the issues affecting orphans and carers in Australia  2) Contribute to the development of a practice framework for this area  Employs qualitative in depth semi- structured interviews  Elicits the perceptions and experiences of 15 professionals

10. The specific research questions are: 1. What are the issues affecting carers and orphans? 2. What are the needs of carers and orphans? 3. What kind of support do carers/ orphans need? 4. How can the current system dealing with orphan relative visas be improved? Research Questions

11. Findings

12. What are the issues affecting carers and orphan children/ young people? I have worked with these kids and know what they have [and had] to deal with. They have experienced so much loss and pain and most of them have survived enormous adversity. I suppose and have an understanding [of adversity] and compassion. They can be really good in helping industries … They have a very strong sense of community, are not very individualist and want to make a contribution in society. They are giving, sharing and helping and very motivated; they are hardworking, energetic, resilient and have lots of life experience (Professional 4).

13. Common Issues  Lack of preparedness  sufficient housing/ space  privacy due to overcrowding  Unrealistic expectations of each other  Potential family conflict due to stresses  Potential adjustment difficulties  Legal issues  Potential culture shock

14. Specific Issues For Carers  Difficulties in navigating immigration system  Difficulties accessing services/ resources  Lack of:  information/ knowledge of welfare system  sufficient financial and other resources  skills to deal with behavioural issues  understanding of orphan experiences

15. Specific Issues For Orphans  Potential exposure to racism  Past trauma, grief and loss  Difficulties in fitting into the new life  Lack of social engagement

16. People have the need to be able to talk to others in similar situations in a support group, be able to debrief may be, because it would be a huge imposition and disruption in their life as much as any child would, so being able to talk about that in a non-judgmental way, without feeling like you are letting anyone down [is important] (Interviewee). Needs of Carers and Orphan Children Young People

17. Common Needs  Independent space and privacy  Deal with unrealistic expectations  Supportive school and community  Understand rights and obligations  Ability to move on with life  Meaningful social/ cultural engagement

18. Specific Carer Needs:  Information about services available  Needs assessment of their situation  Financial support and advice  Support to assist with orphans  Respite opportunities

19. Specific Orphan Needs:  Supportive host family/ carer  Deal with past experiences  Have all their needs met  Feel safe and secure  Understand cultural issues  Understand resettlement experience  Advice/ support to handle difficulties  Legal advice/ support  Assistance with alternative housing options

20. THE SUPPORT CARERS/ ORPHAN CHILDREN/ YOUNG PEOPLE NEED If you put the correct intervention in place early on, in a timely manner, in our experience at least 80% of orphans have succeeded. They have completed their [educational] courses, are employed in meaningful jobs and have become productive members of society and have a lot to give (Interviewee).

21. Common Support Needs:  Adequate Settlement support  Appropriate case management services:  Not tied to government  Assesses needs of both  Provide assistance and support  Appropriate service referrals/ linkages

22. Specific Supports for Carers  Initial provision of information/ advice  Locating potential alternative housing  Emotional and psychological support  Relevant legal advice in Australian context  Exploring and accessing community resources and services

23. Specific Support Needs for Orphans  Loving, supportive family environment  English classes/ educational support  Counselling for past events and issues  Culturally appropriate/ sensitive advice:  in relation to gender/ sexuality issues  legal/ family law issues  Health screens at arrival  Good community and peer support  Access to child protection and other services when needed/ appropriate  Specialist services

24. How can the current system dealing with orphan relative visas be improved? At an appropriate point in time, somebody (a service) needs to make contact with the family and let them know what support is available. Depending on the complexity [and] other background issues, sometimes a support worker in a case management type model can be entirely effective and support someone relatively quickly, and in other situations the issues are really complicated and they need someone with a high degree of skill… to work long term with the family (Professional 10).

25. Improvements suggested include:  Improve and speed up the visa process  Consider higher intake of orphans  Make visa requirements for documentation less onerous  Allocate case management/ re-settlement services to support new arrivals and their host carer/ family  Consider identification of needs/ assessment after arrival to enable ongoing support and information service  Link and engage with other community services and supports where required.  Coordinate the provision of services across the relevant sectors.

26. Summary & Recommendations

27. Summary  Orphans and their carers experience similar issues to other families with kinship care arrangements  In addition, they face a number of challenges due to the pre-migration experiences and the international migration process  A need for specialised support services to assist during the resettlement process  A key tension is the extent to which such services should have support/resourcing function versus assessment/ risk management  Resettlement of orphans an important humanitarian responsibility

28. Overall Recommendations 1. Greater recognition of the issues and needs of orphans & carers in policy and service provision 2. Supports to recognise the issues that result from the international migration process and subsequent settlement 3. Funding for a specific support service to be developed in an NGO to provide culturally appropriate family support/ case management 4. Orientation of services to be primarily support/resourcing rather focussed primarily on assessment of suitability and risk management

29. www.iss.org.au  Dr Klaus Serr- k.serr@latrobe.edu.au  Dr David Rose – drose@unimelb.edu.au