International Social Service (ISS) provides a professional casework and advocacy service to individuals and families who are experiencing problems as a result of being separated across two or more countries.

ISS also undertakes research on issues emerging from and related to our casework, including areas such as the trafficking of women, international students and particularly minors and child abduction.

ISS also undertakes project work in areas related to the mission of the organisation.

The casework of ISS focuses on the care, protection and support of children and families across two or more countries. The best interests of the child are paramount to our response. Servcies include:

• Assessments relating to the protection of children;
• Mediation, conciliation and counselling for families across countries;
• International family tracing related services including searching, mediation and reunion;
• Undertaking a ‘brief’ or ‘full’ home assessment or home study, as required by a local authority
• Information, referral and advice on intercountry adoption matters; and
• Post adoption tracing.

ISS does charge for some services, see the list of fees and charges for the National or the NSW Office (current as at June 2008).

ISS works closely with the International Conventions relevant to working with children. A full transcript of the Conventions can be found at the Hague Conference on Private International Law website . Information relating to the application of the Conventions in Australia can be found at the Federal Attorney General’s website.

The most widely used Conventions relating to ISS’s work with children and families includes:

• 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
  • Entered into force in Australia on 22 January 1954
• 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
  • Entered into force in Australia on 1 January 1987
• 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Entered into force in Australia on 2 September 1990
• 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption
  • Entered into force for Australia on 1 December 1998
• 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children
  • Entered into force for Australia on 1 August 2003
• 2000 UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
  • Entered into force in Australia on 29 September 2003

Not sure if ISS can help?

Click here to email an experienced ISS caseworker with your query or call us on our toll free number: 1300 657 843