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S t Vincent de P aul Society A ssisting R efugee K ids An ecological approach to refugee children’s settlement ACWA Conference 18th August 2008 Jarrah Hoffmann-Ekstein & Clare Thompson. NSW Migrant & Refugee Committee Programs around NSW SPARK operates in Western Sydney
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St Vincent de Paul Society Assisting Refugee Kids An ecological approach to refugee children’s settlement ACWA Conference 18th August 2008 Jarrah Hoffmann-Ekstein & Clare Thompson
NSW Migrant & Refugee Committee Programs around NSW SPARK operates in Western Sydney Jarrah Hoffmann-Ekstein Chair, Steering Committee Involved in initial research and development Clare Thompson SPARK Coordinator Introductions
Began October 2006 5 Primary Schools in Sydney’s West with significant numbers of African students Funded by Vinnies and Department of Immigration and Citizenship Over 100 children and over 100 volunteers involved Program
Program • Supports teams of skilled volunteers to: • Provide social, cultural and curriculum support to refugee children and their families • Raise mainstream community awareness about refugees • Create opportunities for mutual appreciation and respect to grow
IHSS: insight into early settlement through service delivery, and survey of Sudanese arrivals Concerns: Short initial settlement assistance Gaps in proposer support program Lack of holistic approach, and primary school aged children entering school without benefit of IECs Context
Vinnies is a volunteer organisation Strong links to NGOs working in refugee settlement and Sudanese community Discussions with community members, schools, service providers, youth workers, education officials SPARK born! Genesis
Theoretical underpinnings • Ecological approach to children’s settlement: • Child located in context of self, family, peers, school, community • Holistic approach
Theoretical underpinnings • Building community cohesion: • Social capital as a buffer against social and economic exclusion • Connect families with other families, teachers, community • Establish networks of trust, reciprocity, exchange
A Day at SPARK Children: after school activities building academic, artistic and social skills, special project every term Family: parents and carers attend informal social and support group, community information days Younger siblings: play and learn in the school setting School: awareness raising activities for all students, involvement of teachers Community: volunteers
Challenges • Connecting with parents and refugee communities • Support from school and staff for program • Volunteer engagement • Links to mainstream community
Adapting and responding • Parents’ information forum • Older siblings attending • Children guiding direction of program • Mentoring and leadership opportunities for parents and volunteers from refugee backgrounds
Wider Impact Awareness raising in schools: teachers, principals Support from education departments DIAC recognising need for children’s programs
Future • Increase number of schools and move into regional areas- wider • Develop stronger programs – deeper • Increase capacity building and community engagement • Evaluation • Holistic settlement support for all refugee children