Reports
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
A report by ISS International Reference Centre. This report examines intercountry adoption practices in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
Submissions
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.
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.
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.
Policies
This Position Statement details ISS Australia's preferred policies with regards to intercountry adoption.
Papers
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.
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.
A background paper prepared in 2009 by Mr Damon Martin, Deputy CEO, on intercountry adoption in Australia.
Handbooks
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.
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.
Factsheets
Information for parents about the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction ("the Convention").
Information for professionals about the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction ("the Convention")
A factsheet about access applications under the 1980 Hague Convention.
A factsheet about responding to international parental child abduction to a non-Hague Convention country.
A factsheet about preventing your children from being removed from Australia without your permission.
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