MARGARET

PIPER

CHCSW401A

Working with Refugees

Course ContentCourse Content1. Course overview and introduction to forced migration

2. Australia’s response to forced migration

3. What is settlement?

4. The impact of forced migration on settlement

5. Understanding refugee communities

6. Working with clients #1 – needs assessment

7. Working with clients #2 -- teaching life skills

8. Working with clients #3 -- effective client engagement

9. Working with Clients #4 – developing and implementing a settlement plan

10. Effective advocacy

11. Effective work practices

12. Self awareness and Ssupport

Assessment TasksAssessment Tasks

1. Research into the philosophy and operations of three organisations that deliver settlement services in the local area/region

2. An open book quiz covering various aspects of the management of Australia’s Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program and service delivery to refugees and other forced migrants

3. A role play that examines communication and observational skills as well as capacity to identify and respond appropriately to the specific characteristics of a client from a refugee or forced migrant background

4. Answering a series of questions about a case study in order to demonstrate a sound understanding of the process of developing a settlement plan

5. A written or verbal exercise that assesses participants’ understanding of managing boundaries and resolving conflict and interpersonal differences

Forced MigrationForced Migration

• Forced migration is movement from one country to another by necessity rather than choice

• The catalyst for such migration might be:– war or civil unrest– persecution– persecution– economic hardship– environmental degradation …

• The opposite of forced migration is voluntary migration

• In some cases, there might be elements of choice and compulsion in a decision to move

Forced MigrantForced Migrant

• Forced migrants are people who have been compelled to move countries rather than having done so voluntarily

• For the purposes of this unit, the term “forced migrants” includes people who have:– entered Australia under the Refugee and Special Humanitarian

Program;Program;– been granted refugee status in Australia– entered as business and skilled migrants but where the prime

motivation for leaving was to escape violence and/or persecution – arrived with a family reunion visa linked to anyone in the above

categories

• In the future – it might cover people who displaced because their home/homeland is no longer viable due to global warming

Definition of a RefugeeDefinition of a Refugee

• a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country..."

The 1951 Convention relating tothe Status of Refugees

UNHCRUNHCR• The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) is mandated by the United Nations to protect refugees and help them find solutions to their plight

• UNHCR has over 4,000 staff in 120 countries and an annual budget of about US$1 billion

• In addition to legal protection, UNHCR now also provides material • In addition to legal protection, UNHCR now also provides material relief in major emergencies either directly or in partnership with other agencies

• The current High Commissioneris António Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal

• Go to www.unhcr.org to learn more about UNHCR

UNHCR

Refugee Protection:The International Legal Framework

When looking at the issue of refugee protection, it is

International Human Rights Law

protection, it is

important to recognise that it sits within a broader framework of international law and that it is important to understand the key components

Refugee LawInternational

Humanitarian Law

Human Rights TreatiesThe core principles articulated in the UDHR have progressively been translated into a series of treaties which impose binding obligations on signatory States

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

International Covenant International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights

International Covenant on Social Cultural and

Economic Rights

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination *

Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women *

Convention Against Torture *

* denotes abridged title

plus thematic treaties including:

UNHCHRUNHCHR

• The agency responsible for the oversight of international humanrights law is the Office of the United Nations High Commissionerfor Human Rights (UNHCHR)

• The current High Commissioner is Navanethem Pillay. Before taking• The current High Commissioner is Navanethem Pillay. Before takingup her post in September 2008, Ms Pillay had a distinguished careerin her native South Africa as an academic and jurist and had been a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

• Visit www.ohchr.org to learn more about this agencyand its mandate

UNHCHR

International International Humanitarian LawHumanitarian Law

• International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules which, for humanitarian reasons, seek to limit the effects of armed conflict

• IHL protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare

• IHL is also known as the Law of War or the Law of Armed Conflict• IHL is also known as the Law of War or the Law of Armed Conflict

• The key IHL treaties are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. Additional Protocols were added in 1977 relating to the protection of civilians in armed conflict

• IHL also encompasses treaties relating to the use of certain kinds of weapons (eg landmines and chemical weapons) and warfare (eg the use of child soldiers)

• The agency responsible for promotion and protection of IHL is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

• Visit www.icrc to learn more about IHL and the work of ICRC or contact the IHL Program of Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross

International Humanitarian Law

• International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules which, for humanitarian reasons, seek to limit the effects of armed conflict

• IHL protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare

• IHL is also known as the Law of War or the Law of Armed Conflict

• The key IHL treaties are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. Additional Protocols were added in 1977 relating to the protection of Additional Protocols were added in 1977 relating to the protection of civilians in armed conflict

• IHL also encompasses treaties relating to the use of certain kinds of weapons (eg landmines and chemical weapons) and warfare (eg the use of child soldiers)

• The ICRC is the custodian of the Geneva Conventions. Red Cross National Societies are also responsible for promotion and protection of IHL.

• Visit www.icrc to learn more about IHL and the work of ICRC or contact the IHL Program of Australian Red Cross (in every State and territory) who can provide support such as training and information.

Refugee RightsRefugee Rights

• The right not to be sent back to a country in which their life or freedom would be in danger

• The right to receive public relief and welfare support at the same level as nationalssupport at the same level as nationals

• The right to access education and health care

• The right to work

• Entitlement to be issued with identity papers and travel documents

Trauma and Violence

Flight

UNHCR/B. Betzolt UNHCR/H. Chaux

First Asylum in a Neighbouring Country

UNHCR/A. van Genderen Stort

Waiting for a Solution

Waiting …

Waiting …

UNHCR/L. Addario

Waiting ….

UNHCR/H. Davies

Waiting …

Associated Press

• Voluntary repatriation – going back to the

country of origin when it is safe for them to return

UNHCR’s “durable solutions” UNHCR’s “durable solutions” for refugees:for refugees:

country of origin when it is safe for them to return

• Local integration – making a home in the country

to which they first fled

• Resettlement – being sent by the UN to a third

country in which they will make a new life

“Non“Non--durable” solutionsdurable” solutions

• “Warehousing” – remaining indefinitely in a camp where freedom of movement is restricted, basic supplies are scarce and there are few opportunities for any meaningful activity

• Involuntary Repatriation – going back to the country or origin while it is still unsafe; sometimes refugees are forced back, sometimes they return because this is the “least worst option”

• Secondary Movement – trying to get to a western country in which they can lodge a claim for refugee status. This often involves clandestine travel using people smugglers and it can be very dangerous

Australia’s refugee policy embraces many areas including:

• working through the UN to address the root causes of displacement

• helping countries improve their governance and human • helping countries improve their governance and human rights observance through dialogue and training

• providing humanitarian assistance to refugees through the overseas aid program

• providing resettlement places

• granting asylum (a protection visa) to people in Australia who fit the definition of a refugee

Origin of Offshore Program Entrants

1997-1998

15%

7% EuropeMiddle EastAfricaAsia and Other

50%

28%

The program focused on resettlement of those displaced by the Balkans conflict and the first Gulf War. Very few were settled from SE Asia

Origin of Offshore Program Entrants

2003-2004 3%3%

24%

71%

Europe

Middle East

Africa

Asia and Other

Resolution of the conflict in Europe and breakdown of protection in many parts of Africa meant the program shifted dramatically in the early 2000s

Origin of Offshore Program Entrants

2006-07

21%28%

51%

Middle East & SW Asia

Africa

South & SE Asia

Origin of Offshore Program Entrants

2007-08

35%35%

35%

30%

Middle East & SW Asia

Africa

South & SE Asia

Origin of Offshore Program Entrants

32%

39%

2009-10

29%

39%

Middle East & SW Asia

Africa

SE Asia

Refugee (200)

• identified by UNHCR (or proposer)

• refugee PLUS resettlement need

• needs will vary according to circumstances

• most have had AUSCO

• airfares paid + full HSS

SHP (202)

In-Country SHP (201)

• identified by UNHCR, DIAC or proposer

• specific countries only

• sometimes family reunion

• lack of flight does not always

mean lack of trauma

Emergency Rescue (203)SHP (202)

• criteria = suffered substantial

discrimination amounting to gross

violation of their human rights

• have link to Australia (proposer) =

main supporter after arrival

• similar to refugee caseload

though with longer post-grant times, possibly no AUSCO and often with airfare debt

Emergency Rescue (203)

• identified by UNHCR

• moved because of imminent

danger

• high levels of recent trauma

• will have had no time to prepare for relocation

• no AUSCO �

Women at Risk (204)

• usually identified by UNHCR

• women and female headed

households

• selected because of vulnerability

• high probability of torture/trauma

Permanent Protection Visa (866)

• granted to those recognised as

refugees in Australia

• some have been in detention (often Christmas Island), others

have had periods of destitution

• eligible for HSS on the basis of

�

• eligible for HSS on the basis of assessed vulnerability

Irrespective of visa subclass – all

have been through health and

character checks

Humanitarian Program Grants by Category: 2004-05 to 2009-10

Category2004–

052005–

062006–

072007–

082008–

092009-

10

Refugee 5511 6022 6003 6004 6499 6003

Special Humanitarian

6755 6836 5275 5026 4625 3233Humanitarian

6755 6836 5275 5026 4625 3233

Onshore Protection 895 1272 1701 1900 2378 4534

Temporary Human-itarian Concern

17 14 38 84 5 0

Total 13,178 14,144 13,017 13,014 13,507 13,770

Offshore Visa Grants 2009Offshore Visa Grants 2009--1010Top 10 Countries

1500

2000

2500

0

500

1000

Burm

a

Iraq

Bhuta

nAfg

hani

stan

DR C

ongo

Ethio

pia

Somal

ia

Sudan

Libe

riaSie

rra L

eone

Centre for Multicultural Youth: Information Sheet No. 14. 2006

Practical Needs Emotional Needs

Pre-embarkation preparation

Initial information and orientation

Accommodation

Language

Education

Income support

Employment

Safety

Trust

Control over the environment

Ability to plan for the future

Dignity

Self worth

BelongingEmployment

Health care

Torture-trauma counselling

Legal assistance

Community development

Religious expression

Leisure

Becoming part of the community

Support for special needs groups

Belonging

Being part of a functioning family

Key Indicators of SettlementKey Indicators of Settlement

• Social participation

• Economic well-being• Economic well-being

• Independence (or ‘agency’)

• Personal well-being

DIAC funded services

Community/church funded services

Services provided or

Volunteers

funded servicesprovided or

funded by other government

agencies

DIAC Funded ProgramsKey Programs Funded by Other Government

Agencies

Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (HSS)

Complex Case Support Program (CCS)

Settlement Grants Program

Language Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) –DEEWR

English as a Second Language Program (ESL) – DESTSettlement Grants Program

(SGP)

Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) Program

Specialist Torture and Trauma Services

Specialist Health and Mental Health Programs

Job Services Australia

Family Support Program

Mainstream ProgramsMainstream Programs

• Centrelink

• Medicare

• Job Services Australia (JSA)

• Public housing• Public housing

• Family support programs

• Youth programs

• Aged care

• Primary, secondary and tertiary education

• Sport and recreation programs etc

Humanitarian Settlement Humanitarian Settlement Services PrinciplesServices Principles

• Respect the human worth and dignity of clients and their cultural and religious diversity

• Protect the health and wellbeing of clients

• Ensure clients contribute to decisions that affect them and have influence over their settlement pathways

• Deliver services flexibly through a tailored case management • Deliver services flexibly through a tailored case management approach which prioritises need and early intervention strategies

• Give particular attention to the needs of children and young people as they are of vital concern

• Ensure services build on individual client strengths and promote client capability and independence

• Work collaboratively with other community and government agencies in the best interests of the client

• Deliver services to a high standard

• Be accountable to the users of services and the Australian government

Challenges to the Man’s Role as Challenges to the Man’s Role as Head of the FamilyHead of the Family

UNHCR

Changes to Female’s RolesChanges to Female’s Roles

©gg.gov.au

Parenting Parenting ––especially single parentingespecially single parenting

UNHCR

Generational DifferencesGenerational Differences

http://sophiandy.blogspot.com/2007/07/aussie-hijabs.html

Managing a Family BudgetManaging a Family Budget

www.medicalpracticetrends.com/tag/software/

RemittancesRemittances

UNHCR/H. Chaux

SeparationSeparation

UNHCR/A. Fazzina

Blended FamiliesBlended Families

apnonline.com.au

Lack of Recreational PursuitsLack of Recreational Pursuits

UNHCR

Laws and ExpectationsLaws and Expectations

Settlement Council of Australia

TraumaTrauma

UNHCR

Behaviours which, if persistent,

suggest the need for a referral

Behaviours which strongly suggest

the need for an urgent referral

• Uncontrolled or frequent crying

• Extreme reactions to mild events

• Sleep problems - too much or too little

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Fear or threats of harm to self or others

• Extreme withdrawal

• No emotional response

• Self destructive despair

• Marked agitation

• Frequent retelling of a traumatic event• Anger

• Stress-related physical illness:

headaches, stomach aches

• Inability to forget traumatic scenes

• Fixating on one idea

• Blunting of emotions

• Suicidal thoughts/plans

• Extreme dependency and clinging

• Nightmares

• Excessive physiological startle

• Frequent retelling of a traumatic event

• Uncontrolled activity

• Inability to care for oneself hygienically

• Marked irritability

• Fits of temper

• Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices)

• Bizarre, irrational beliefs

Community TiesCommunity Ties

• tribal affiliation, ethnicity or nationality

• religion

• political opinion• political opinion

• location from which they came

• time of or reasons for their expulsion

• location of or experiences during exile

• common interests or aspirations

• other factors

Reasons for the Formation of Reasons for the Formation of Community GroupsCommunity Groups

• seeking comfort in the familiar

• seeking security in numbers

• recreating “family”

• preserving the struggle

• supporting new entrants

• preserving their culture

renjith krishnan

www.languageandculture.com

Group ExerciseGroup Exercise

• What do you need to know

60 entrants are arriving next week

from Concordia

• What do you need to know about Concordia?

• What do you need to know about the entrants?

• How and where they would find these things out?

Useful References for Collecting Useful References for Collecting Background InformationBackground Information

• DIAC: www.immi.gov.au

• UNHCR: www.unhcr.org

• BBC: www.news.bbc.co.uk• BBC: www.news.bbc.co.uk

• Human Rights Watch: www.hrw.org

• Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org

• US Committee for Refugees: www.refugees.org

When in doubt - Google

First steps of cross cultural

Suat Eman

Ambro

cross cultural communication

FreeDigitalPhotos.net AdminMichal Marcol

Conducting an Effective Conducting an Effective Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment

• Empathetic

• A reflective listener

• Non-judgemental• Non-judgemental

• Observant

• Flexible

• Patient

• Respectful

MDA

Resettlement is like

learning to walk again –only you are a lot heavier

Wikimedia

Teaching Life Skills involves Teaching Life Skills involves ------

• understanding the entrants’ conceptual gaps

• identifying their strengths

• assessing their capacity to absorb unfamiliar concepts and apply these when performing unfamiliar tasks

• creating a safe space in which entrants can try out new things

• giving them the confidence to admit when they don’t know

• building a training plan that incorporates the above, which focuses on empowerment and is underpinned by respect for the entrant

www.languageandculture.com

Seeing the world from your Seeing the world from your clients’ perceptive clients’ perceptive ------

• Background research

• Careful observation

• Talk to your clients• Talk to your clients

• Take time out to reflect

• Construct a world view from your client’s perspective

EMPATHY

circlespace.files.wordpress.com

Respectful InteractionRespectful Interaction

• Call clients by their preferred names pronounced correctly

• Fame questions in a non-judgmental way • Use verbal encouragement• Avoid officious sounding language • Avoid officious sounding language • Adopt a supportive role• Provide concrete/tangible assistance as quickly as

possible • Understand and identify your client’s critical cultural

values and beliefs • Ask clients what their preferences are • Be mindful of the power differential

Things to AvoidThings to Avoid

• Employing an interrogatory style

• Asking for excessive information • Asking for excessive information

• Asking clients to repeat traumatic stories

• Using interview rooms with closed-in spaces and barred windows

Respectful Interaction When Respectful Interaction When Using an InterpreterUsing an Interpreter

• Select an appropriate interpreter

• Be vigilant for any signs that the client is • Be vigilant for any signs that the client is uncomfortable

• Be “present” when things are being translated

• Focus on the client

Different BackgroundsDifferent Backgrounds

M PiperUNHCR/E. Oszay

But be careful about making about making assumptions

UNHCR/A. van Genderen Stort

Settlement PlansSettlement Plans

• Undertaking a needs assessment

• Drafting a settlement plan• Drafting a settlement plan

• Implementation

• Assessing outcomes

renjith krishnan

Relevance of Settlement Plans Relevance of Settlement Plans for Other Workersfor Other Workers

Important to keep in mind that:

• DIAC funds HSS agencies to:– assess post-arrival needs– develop a holistic plan to address short-term settlement needs

• not being responsible does not mean they are not • not being responsible does not mean they are not relevant

• most entrants have a caseworker (+ casemanager) who has the best understanding of the “total picture”

• if there are concerns about an entrant - contact the casemanager

• they are not the sole worker involved with the entrant thus need to complement other interventions

Problem SolvingProblem Solving

• Build trust

• Elicit only relevant information

• Be wary of asking clients to • Be wary of asking clients to elaborate on painful memories

• Be a mentor not a rescuer

• Make use of resources within entrants’ community

jscreationzs

Why IT Skills are ImportantWhy IT Skills are Important

• Accessing and recording client data

• Undertaking research

• Developing a settlement plan

• Recording client interventions• Recording client interventions

• Developing budgets

• Communicating by email with other service providers

• Writing letters of support

• Reporting to supervisors

• Completing time sheets

• Requesting leave …

Computer @ lsmcc.com

Complaints MechanismsComplaints Mechanisms

• Offices of the Commonwealth and State Ombudsmen

• Australian Human Rights Commission

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

• State Government Complaints Bodies

Community AdvocacyCommunity Advocacy• consultation

• prioritisation of needs - transparent and strategic

• consultation with other key players

• research

• advocacy strategy - roles assigned

• alliances formed - mentors sought

• advocacy strategy implemented

• reflective evaluation

• feedback to community

members

flickr.com

WorkplaceWorkplace ReportingReporting

renjith krishnan

Workplace ReportingWorkplace Reporting

• learn the systems and procedures

• acquire necessary skills (IT)

• use accepted language• use accepted language

• seek assistance

• ensure all work is completed on time

• ensure all information recorded is accurate and

comprehensive

Meeting DeadlinesMeeting Deadlines

renjith krishnan

Working in a Working in a Multicultural WorkplaceMulticultural Workplace

Navitas

What assumptions

AKARAKINGDOMS maple

do we make about these people?

africa xedos4

The OverThe Over--involvement involvement ––UnderUnder--involvement Continuuminvolvement Continuum

Foundation House

Vicarious TraumatisationVicarious Traumatisation

• intrusive reactions: dreams/nightmares, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, physiological reactions and other persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic eventthe traumatic event

• avoidant reactions: general numbing in responsiveness and avoidance (particularly of things related to the traumatic material)

• hyper-arousal reactions: hyper-vigilance and difficulty concentrating

Anxious

DepressedFeeling overwhelmed by emotions

Not wanting to come to work

Feeling worthless

Low self esteem

No time for friends

Always tired

Having a short fuse

Trouble sleeping

?

?

?

??

ProcrastinatingBeing cynical

Having a short fuse

Feeling afraid

Drinking or smoking too much

Being sad

Being immune to images of violence

Allowing work to intrude on personal life

?

?

?

?

graur razvan ionut

First Steps in Dealing with First Steps in Dealing with Vicarious TraumatisationVicarious Traumatisation

• know what to look out for

• take some time to engage in self reflection

• consciously take steps to avoid vicarious traumatisation • consciously take steps to avoid vicarious traumatisation

• recognise how beneficial supervision can be

• ask for help when you first recognise signs of vicarious traumatisation – don’t leave it too late

• watch out for signs of traumatisation in those with whom you work … and if you are worried about them … don’t ignore it, do something

FreeDigitalPhotos.net Admin Sujin Jetkasettakorn

Physical Self CarePhysical Self Care

Look after yourself by:

• eating regular meals

• eating healthy food

• drinking plenty of water –

Andy Newson

• drinking plenty of water –and not too much alcohol

• getting plenty of exercise

• getting enough sleep

• taking time off if you are sick

• getting a massage if you are feeling tense …

Ambro

Psychological Self CarePsychological Self Care

• Make time for self-reflection

• Read literature unrelated to work

• Write in a journal, paint, • Write in a journal, paint, sing or express your feelings in any form that works for you

• Leave time for hobbies

• Ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed

nuchylee

Emotional Self CareEmotional Self Care

• Spend time with people whose company you enjoy

• Don’t let friendships slip

• Give yourself permission to have fun

• Give yourself affirmations – feel good about yourself

photostock

Workplace SupervisionWorkplace Supervision

Examiner.com

Spend a little time drawing up a self-care plan which lists the things you commit to

Reminder:Reminder:Reminder:Reminder:

Take Carecommit to doing to look after yourself while you are working with refugees

Take Care

Of Myself