Settlement Support Services


 

Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS)

The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) is a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) funded program designed to help humanitarian entrants rebuild their lives in Australia by providing them with support designed to meet their initial settlement needs.

The aim of the IHSS is to help humanitarian entrants achieve self sufficiency in the settlement process and to distribute resources on a needs basis. Emphasis is placed on sensitivity to cultural differences and minimum intrusion into entrants’ lives. A case-management approach is provided to ensure that the special needs of humanitarian entrants are identified and addressed promptly by matching them with settlement services that meet their particular circumstances.

IHSS helps entrants gain access to mainstream services such as Centrelink, Medicare, banks, general and specialist health and medical services, education, training and employment, as well as links to the community.

Upon exiting the IHSS, entrants are referred to general settlement services provided through organisations funded under the Settlement Grants Programme, such as Migrant Resource Centres and Migrant Service Agencies.

For more information, please contact the ACL IHSS Consortium:

3 Mary Street

Auburn NSW 2144

P: 02 9749 3320

F: 02 9749 3353
E: ihssenquiry@acl.edu.au

 

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ACL IHSS Consortium


Since October 1, 2005 the ACL IHSS Consortium has been delivering the DIAC-funded program in the Northern and Southern Metropolitan Regions of Sydney including Wollongong and Newcastle. The ACL IHSS Consortium is a partnership between ACL, Resolve FM, STARTTS and Mission Australia. The Consortium is committed to providing service delivery that is consistent with IHSS principles. Each Consortium partner plays a vital role at various times in the settlement process. These roles are described briefly below.


ACL
Provides case coordination, information, referrals and assistance on arrival in Australia. This includes a case coordination plan based on an initial needs assessment, information about and referral to mainstream agencies, on-arrival reception and assistance. An ACL case worker meets entrants on arrival at the airport, takes them to suitable accommodation and provides them with initial orientation to the community, as well as meeting any emergency needs for medical attention or clothing and footwear. ACL assists proposers in fulfilling their role of assisting Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) entrants.


Resolve FM
Resolve FM provides initial accommodation to entrants and helps them to find appropriate and affordable long-term accommodation. A household goods assistance package is available to help entrants in establishing their own household in Australia.
For more information about Resolve FM, click here.


STARTTS
Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) helps in overcoming physical and psychological health problems and raises awareness among health care providers and encourages them to be sensitive to the needs of humanitarian entrants. STARTTS assesses needs, puts together a case plan and provides short term torture and trauma counselling services and referral as necessary.
For more information about STARTTS, click here.


Mission Australia
Mission Australia (MA) coordinates volunteers and provides volunteer support to refugees to assist them further in making links with the community, gaining independence and becoming self-reliant.
For more information about MA or to become a volunteer, click here.


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IHSS Principles

Humanitarian entrants are individuals who have the inherent right to respect for their human worth and dignity. The ACL IHSS Consortium is committed to delivering its services in accordance with these principles:

  • Humanitarian entrants are able to exercise choice.
  • Humanitarian entrants are informed and involved in decision making.
  • Services are designed and administered so as to promote Humanitarian entrants' competence and to discourage dependency.
  • The health and well-being of Humanitarian entrants are protected.
  • The best interests of children are taken into account.
  • The least intrusive and the least disruptive option which offers the highest degree of stability and certainty is selected.
  • Traditional, cultural and religious values are respected.
  • Services and decisions are ethical and Humanitarian entrants are not exploited.
  • Services promote participation of Humanitarian Program entrants in the wider community and their understanding of legal obligations.
  • Organisations providing services are accountable to those who use their services and to the Commonwealth.
  • Humanitarian entrants are able to access services in a coordinated way which minimises gaps and duplication between services received.

 

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Services after Exiting IHSS

The Settlement Grants Programme (SGP) was introduced by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship in 2005 following a review of settlement services programs funded by the department.

The aim of the programme is to fund services which help clients to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival.

The services provided through the SGP are intended to be:

  • targeted towards those communities and locations in greatest need of settlement assistance.
  • responsive to changing settlement patterns and needs.

For currently funded settlement grants in NSW (2007-2008), click on this link:

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/settle/_pdf/07_08/nsw.pdf

 

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