Report On The Experience And Work With Unaccompanied Minor Refugees From Indochina In Australia

Author : Diane Zulfacar
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780724070732
Total Pages : 127 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (77 download)

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Download or read book Surviving Without Parents written by Diane Zulfacar and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report investigates difficulties experienced in the western part of Sydney by Indo-Chinese refugee unaccompanied minors. The aim of the project was to ensure more effective and productive settlement for these young people, both in New South Wales (NSW) and throughout Australia. The report has five chapters. The first explains that the treatment of unaccompanied refugee minors after arrival depends greatly upon whether they were admitted as 'unattached minors' who are wards of the Minister for Immigration, or as 'detached minors' who are in the care of a close relative other than a parent. Some in the second category leave the home of the family member responsible for them, and form a third group, who may need extra help. Chapter 2 gives the background to the study: the Australian intake of such minors, and areas of need and provision of services, considered under: accommodation, financial support, education, and emotional stress. Chapter 3 describes the study methods, and the construction of the questionnaire. 191 youths were interviewed, and community organizations were questioned. In chapter 4 the findings are described, followed by a discussion of what appears to be the major problems for each ethnic group. Chapter 5 draws conclusions from the study. The author found significant ethnic differences in the amount of disruption and reasons for leaving their home countries, but none regretted leaving. One third of those who had been in Australia for less than a year had lived in three or more different places. A high breakdown of care arrangements was discovered, particularly in the first 6 months, and few minors knew where to turn for help. Most valued education highly, although 68% found it difficult to keep up with their classmates (not surprising, since three-quarters knew no English upon arrival). Many experienced financial difficulties, and worried a lot about personal or family problems. The author recommends that: 1) better orientation and English language instruction should be provided before arrival; 2) guardianship and government roles should be clarified, financial assistance rationalized, and care arrangements should be assessed during the first 6 months; and 3) better educational provision should be made for the needs of this group, including vocational training and special training for teachers.