International Social Service works with families and children across borders in a whole variety of situations. The following case examples illustrate the nature of the work of ISS.
Abandoned Children In A Country Town
The government crisis intervention team were called out to
an Australian country town following the apparent abandonment of 2 young
children by their mother. ISS assisted by obtaining social and medical
history reports in both the UK and Australia on the mother and other
family members. Following a court decision, further assistance was then
provided in relation to travel arrangements for the children’s
return to the UK with an extended family member.
A Dying Woman’s Request
A mother of three was in a hospice with only days left to live.
Her ex-husband had abused the children and was now living
overseas, and faced sexual assault charges if he returned
to Australia. The government
authorities were considering the future guardianship of her
children, and asked ISS to assist. They knew that ISS could
cut through red tape
and language barriers and sensitively make contact very quickly
with her family members and authorities overseas. The family
members came from
overseas, and met the mother before she died and the mother’s wishes
for guardianship were agreed to.
An Overseas Student in Crisis
A young Malaysian was studying at an Australian university.
During a time of acute emotional stress due to the death of a close family
member followed by poor academic results, he failed to renew his visa
and was detected and detained by immigration compliance personnel. ISS
assisted – a detailed assessment of the student, his circumstances,
and his background was undertaken, accompanied by intensive casework
over a period, with recommendations to university and immigration authorities
that he be permitted to complete his course.
The Children Left Behind in Kampuchea
A Kampuchean woman with 5 children re-married and came to Australia
with her new husband and youngest child. Under pressure from her husband
she failed to acknowledge her older children on her migration application,
and was faced with termination of residency and deportation. ISS prepared
a detailed report on all aspects of the case, including the continuing
dependency of the separated children on their mother, for the Migration
Review Tribunal. The tribunal accepted the report and approved the application
for the children in Kampuchea to join their mother and sibling in Australia.
Finding A Permanent Home As Quickly As Possible For An Abused Child
The government child protection authorities had removed an
11 year old boy from his home, after on-going abuse from his father.
The boy was placed in temporary care while the options for permanent
care where assessed. ISS was asked to obtain an assessment of the boy’s
mother and the relatives she lives with in Lebanon. All the professionals
involved wish to see the boy out of temporary care and placed into a
safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. It is quite a challenge
to quickly find the right authority in Lebanon and obtain the necessary
reports in English. This is a classic case of the ISS network expediting
matters for the benefit of all.
Seven Countries Later… An Adoptee Meets His Birth
Family
An Australian born adoptee, wanting to trace and make contact
with his birth family, was assisted by ISS in tracing and mediation.
This four year search through public records, archived media, and statutory
bodies throughout Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Cape Verde, The
Netherlands, Zimbabwe and England, finally found that his birth mother
was deceased. However, after his birth, she had later married and had
a second child. A half sister in England was found, and the half-sister’s
father in The Netherlands, who was not aware of his daughter’s
birth. Due to the persistence and skill of ISS staff, and following
the agreement of each, the three family members, all of whom had not
been aware of the other’s existence, were finally introduced to
each other.
More information on Services:
The General Secretariat - International Resource Centre
Intercountry Adoptions Contacts
More information on Tracing a Family Member: