Our Resources

Resources

Submissions, Policy and Reports

Reports

Solomon Islands Social Welfare Needs Analysis

A research report prepared by Sophie Fisher on behalf of ISS Australia in 2012.This report analyses the support for, and barriers to, strengthening the child protection system in the Solomon Islands. This paper articulates the urgent social need that is present in Solomon Islands.

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Earthquake in Haiti: Intercountry adoption cases

A report by ISS International Reference Centre. This report examines intercountry adoption practices in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.

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Learning from the Links between Domestic Violence and International Parental Child Abduction

This research report, prepared in 2007, reviews available material on the links between domestic violence and international parental child abduction and reports findings from interviews undertaken with a small sample of affected parents and domestic violence services that have worked with these parents.

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International Kinship Care: Observations from the Australian context

A research report prepared for ISS Australia by Siobhan Kavanagh in 2011, focusing on the obstacles to international kinship care and suggested models of best practice in resolving some of these issues. The report was developed as part of an ISS Australia project entitled Kinship Care Across Borders, generously funded by the R.E. Ross Trust.

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1996 Convention Report

ISS Australia undertook research into the 1996 Hague Convention, in particular its potential application to ISS Australia’s inter-country casework involving children. The report, produced in 2008, formed part of a project generously funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, “Boosting Outcomes for Australian Children Using International Laws.”

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Home Safe Home: A report on children who migrate to Australia for kinship care

Prepared by researcher Siobhan Kavanagh, the Home Safe Home report presents the findings of a key research project funded by the Barr Family Foundation as part of ISS Australia’s “Support Me, Support My New Home” project (see project page here).

The research sought to develop a greater understanding of the issues experienced by children, young people and carers in international kinship care arrangements, with a particular focus on those arrangements that do not involve assessments of carer suitability or post placement support. The report makes five recommendations, including a call for changes to the Orphan Relative visa application process which would make assessment of any potential carer’s suitability mandatory. The report was officially launched on 29 May 2013 at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

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International Student Welfare in Australia

A research report prepared by Daniel Pejic forISS Australia in 2012. The report examines international student administration in Australia, with a particular focus on ensuring student welfare. It recommends strategies to enhance security and protect the rights of international students studying in Australia.

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Submissions

ISS Australia Response to the Consultation on the Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service

ISS Australia, in March 2020, submitted a response to the Discussion Paper on the Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service to the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.

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ISS Australia response to the Senate inquiry into international child abduction

ISS Australia, in July 2011, made a submission to the AustralianSenate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into international child abduction to and from Australia.

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ISS Australia response to the Senate inquiry into the Commonwealth contribution to former forced adoption policies

ISS Australia, in March 2011, made a submission to an inquiry by the Australian Senate’s Standing Committees on Community Affairs into the Commonwealth’s contribution to former forced adoption policies and practices.

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Policies

ISS Australia Position Statement on Intercountry Adoption

This Position Statement details ISS Australia's preferred policies with regards to intercountry adoption.

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ISS Australia Position Statement on International Surrogacy

This paper sets out ISS Australia's policy position on International Surrogacy.

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ISS Australia Position Statement on International Parental Child Abduction

This position statement details ISS Australia's policy position on International Parental Child Abduction.

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ISS Australia Position Statement on Donor Conception

This paper sets out ISS Australia's policy position on Donor Conception.

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ISS Australia Position Statement on International Kinship Care

This position statement details ISS Australia's position on international kinship care.

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Papers

Hague Children’s Conventions: the Need for an Advocacy Response to Protect Children in the Context of International Parental Child Abduction

This paper prepared in 2009 by Ms Helen Freris, Manager Social Work Services, addresses social work practice in the context of two international Hague Conventions concerning children. Based on a research report prepared by ISS Australia, the paper proposes arguments for the viability of social work practice in the context of the 1996 Convention on Parental Responsibility and Child Protection, and highlights the benefits of casework practice and mediation-based services for families which can be offered by social work.

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Intercountry Adoption in Australia

A background paper prepared in 2009 by Mr Damon Martin, Deputy CEO, on intercountry adoption in Australia.

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The Right to Information for Donor Conceived People: Lessons Learnt from Adoption

This paper, prepared in 2012 by Damon Martin Deputy CEO, outlines the effects of Australia’s past adoption practice. It examines the many similarities and differences between donor conceived people and adoptees, in order to argue that the practice of donor conception should rightly be compared to, and learn from, adoption practice.

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Handbooks

Towards a greater capacity: learning from intercountry adoption breakdowns

An ISS General Secretariat handbook providing comprehensive information on the complex and painful phenomenon of intercountry adoption breakdowns. With chapters from adoption professionals throughout the world, including two from ISS Australia staff Lizzie Gray and Sandi Petersen.

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Intercountry Adoption and Search for Origins: A Guide for Adoptees

ISS Australia and the ISS network’s Geneva-based IRC (International Reference Centre for the rights of children deprived of their family) have jointly produced a guide for intercountry adoptees seeking to search for their origins.

This informative and easy to read guide was produced in 2018 and provides adoptees with an overview of a search for origins process as well as the practical implications. It offers intercountry adoptees concrete information on each and every stage of a search for origins process, as well as on the danger signals an adoptee may encounter on their way.

ISS Australia believes it is a must-read for Australian intercountry adoptees when they request access to their adoption records with plans to embark on their search for origins.

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Search Guide for Care Leavers

This user friendly Search Guide for Care Leavers outlines ISS Australia’s NSW Special Search Service search and reunion process, as well as information about DNA testing.  

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Search Guide for People Separated by Adoption

This user friendly Search Guide for People Separated by Adoption outlines ISS Australia’s NSW Special Search Service search and reunion process, as well as information about DNA testing.  

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Intercountry Adoption and its Risks: A Guide for Prospective Adopters

This guide aims to provide ideas and tools to protect you as well as your child.

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Financial and other support to countries of origin linked to intercountry adoption

Produced by the International Social Service General Secretariat, this is a Guide for prospective adoptive parents, adoptive families and older adoptees on avoiding unintended risks associated with well-intentioned acts.

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Connect Resource for fathers affected by international parental child abduction

ISS Australia's International Parental Child Abduction(IPCA) social work and legal services have created new resources for fathers who are separated from their children across international borders. These resources are based on many years of supporting parents impacted by international parental child abduction. The connect resource includes legal and social work information, tips and strategies for coping during this difficult time.

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Connect resource for mothers affected by international parental child abduction

ISS Australia's International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) social work and legal services have created new resources for mothers who are separated from their children across international borders. These resources are based on many years of supporting parents impacted by international parental child abduction. The connect resource includes legal and social work information, tips and strategies for coping during this difficult time.

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Factsheets

Loss and grief in the context of international parental child abduction

This factsheet provides information about the loss and grief that parents experience when their children have been abducted internationally.

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Tools for Searching for Long-Lost Relatives

This ISS Australia fact sheet provides people with tools and tips for finding long-lost relatives.

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1980 Hague Convention countries in force with Australia

Separately, Australia has Bilateral Agreements with Lebanon and Egypt.

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What is a Section 60I certificate?

This factsheet provides information about Section 60I certificates.

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International Parental Child Abduction to a Hague Signatory Country

Information for professionals about the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction ("the Convention")

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How can I have my child returned from a Hague Convention country?

Information for parents about the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction ("the Convention").

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My child has been taken to a non-Hague Convention country

A factsheet about responding to international parental child abduction to a non-Hague Convention country.

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Preventing international parental child abduction

A factsheet about preventing your children from being removed from Australia without your permission.

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Sending your children overseas

This factsheet contains advice for parents who wish to allow their children to go on an overseas holiday but are concerned about whether the other parent will return them.

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How can I have access to my child who lives in a Hague Convention country

A factsheet about access applications under the 1980 Hague Convention.

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Tips to improve video contact with children

This factsheet contains tips for maintaining a relationship with your children overseas using video contact.

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Adoptive Parenting: Information for Friends and Family

This factsheet provides information on what to expect and how to support the family.

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Resources for those adopted from South Korea and their families

Factsheet containing esources for those adopted from South Korea and their families.

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Three steps to regulation and connection

Information guide for adoptive and prospective adoptive parents

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Lifestory work with children who have been adopted

A factsheet on lifestory work for children who have been adopted.

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NSW Integrated Birth Certifiate for people adopted in NSW

This factsheet provides information on the recent NSW legislative amendment that introduced a new Integrated Birth Certificate (IBC) for people adopted in NSW.

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Service Brochures

International Parental Child Abduction Service Brochure (Trifold)

Details services offered by ISS Australia international parental child abduction teams.

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International Parental Child Abduction Services (A4)

Details services offered by ISS Australia's international parental child abduction teams.

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Legal Service Brochure (DL)

Details of ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Legal Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Social Work Brochure (DL)

Details services offered by ISS Australia international parental child abduction social work team.

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International Family and Post Adoption Tracing and Reunification Services

Details ISS Australia's International Family and Post Adoption Tracing and Reunification Services.

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Special Search Service

Details ISS Australia's Special Search Service.

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International Child Welfare and Kinship Care

Details ISS Australia's International Child Welfare and Kinship Care service.

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International Family Mediation Service Brochure (DL)

Details services offered by ISS Australia's International Family Mediation Service.

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International Family Mediation Service Brochure (A5)

Details services offered by ISS Australia's International Family Mediation Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Services (Arabic)

Describes ISS Australia's international parental child abduction services.

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Legal Service Brochure (Arabic)

Details of ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Legal Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Social Work Brochure (Arabic)

Details services offered by ISS Australia international parental child abduction social work team.

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International Parental Child Abduction Services (Spanish)

Describes ISS Australia's international parental child abduction services.

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Legal Service Brochure (Spanish)

Details ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Legal Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Social Work Brochure (Spanish)

Describes ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Social Work Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Services (Chinese)

Describes ISS Australia's international parental child abduction services.

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Legal Service Brochure (Chinese)

Details ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Legal Service.

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International Parental Child Abduction Social Work Brochure (Chinese)

Describes ISS Australia's international parental child abduction Social Work Service.

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Paralegal Position Description

Position Description for Paralegal role -closing date 10 September 2021

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Lawyer Position Description

Position Description for Lawyer role

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