IFSW Policy and Guiding Principles for international ...cdn.ifsw.org/assets/ifsw_62934-5.pdf · Legal considerations ... Travelling overseas to undertake an assessment carries multiple

DraftFeb2018

IFSWPOLICY&GUIDINGPRINCIPLESFOR

INTERNATIONALSOCIALWORKASSESSMENTOFCHILDREN

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IFSWPolicyandGuidingPrinciplesforInternationalSocialWorkassessmentofchildren.

ContentsIFSWPolicyandGuidingPrinciplesforInternationalSocialWorkassessmentofchildren................1

Definitions..........................................................................................................................................2

POLICY....................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose:.............................................................................................................................................2

Policy:.................................................................................................................................................2

Scope:.................................................................................................................................................3

GUIDINGPRINCIPLES.............................................................................................................................3

Background........................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTIONANDRATIONALE.....................................................................................................3

CONTEXT............................................................................................................................................4

ISSUES................................................................................................................................................4

Legalconsiderations......................................................................................................................5

Ethicalconsiderations....................................................................................................................5

Safetyconsiderations....................................................................................................................5

Collaborativeapproach.................................................................................................................6

OptionsforSocialWorkAssessmentsacrossborders:.....................................................................6

Separateassessments...................................................................................................................6

Leadassessor.................................................................................................................................6

Crossborderemployment/contracting.......................................................................................7

UsingrecognisedInternationalNGO.............................................................................................7

Acknowledgement.............................................................................................................................7

APPENDIX1:LISTOFINTERNATIONALCONVENTIONSANDAGREEMENTSDESIGNEDTOPROTECTCHILDREN...........................................................................................................................................8

APPENDIX2:GENERALMEETINGMOTIONPASSEDMELBOURNEJULY2014.................................9

APPENDIX3:CASEEXAMPLES.........................................................................................................10

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Definitions‘Home’socialworker–thesocialworkerintheplacewheretherequestforanassessmenthasbeenmade.

‘Visiting’socialworker–thesocialworkerfromtheplacewheretherequestforanassessmenthasbeenmadewhoisvisitingtheoverseaslocalitytowhichthechildmaymove(orinveryexceptionalcircumstances;wherethechildisresiding)

‘Local’socialworker–thesocialworkerintheoverseascountrywhereafamilyassessmenthasbeenrequested.

POLICY

Purpose:

To promote safe, ethical social work practice, in accordance with international conventions andagreements1,whensocialworkersundertakeassessmentsofchildrenthatcrossnationstateborders.The same principles apply to other vulnerable persons who lack the capacity tomake their owndecisions.ThispolicyandtheseguidelinesweredevelopedtofulfilthemotionpassedattheGeneralMeetinginMelbourne20142.

ThispolicyandtheseguidingprincipleswillprovideboththeCourtsandsocialworkerswithIFSW’sframework tomitigate the risk of some legal jurisdictions requiring inappropriate assessments orinterventionsacrossborders.Employersalsohavearesponsibilitytoensurethesafeworkingpracticesoftheirsocialworkersandmustnotrequirethemtopracticeabroadillegallyorunsafely.

Policy:

Whenundertakingcrossbordersocialwork,professionalpracticeisconsistentwiththeinternationalconventions,agreementsandtheIFSWethicalprincipleswhichallenshrinetheconceptofthebestinterestsofthechildbeingparamount.Socialworkassessmentsareconcernedwiththewholepersonandthecontextwithinwhichthechildlivesincludingfamilyandculturalidentity;andshouldseektorecogniseallaspectsofachild’slife.

An assessment in a different country is always best undertaken by a local socialworker. Such anassessmentwouldformapartoftheoverallassessmentofoptionsforthechild/vulnerablepersonwhich the ‘home’ social worker considers in order to make the final recommendations to therequestingauthority.Itislikelytobeillegal,unethicalandunsafeforasocialworkertoundertakeanassessmentoutsidetheirowncountryontheirown.Travellingoverseastoundertakeanassessmentcarries multiple risks of misunderstanding local circumstances and consequently producing amisleading assessment. A ‘visiting’ social worker may work alongside a ‘local’ social worker tocompleteanassessmentifnoalternativeoptionisavailable.The‘local’socialworkerinthecountrybeingvisitedhasadutytoinformthemselvesaboutthenatureoftheassessmentrequiredbycourtsor agencies and to do their best to meet these requirements. The ‘visiting’ social worker has a

1InternationalconventionsandagreementslistedinAppendix12FulltextofthismotioninAppendix2

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responsibilitytoprovideclearbriefingtothe‘local’socialworkerand,wherepossible,tosupportthemtodelivertheassessmentrequired.

IFSW recognises and endorses linkages between socialworkers via a Central Agency (in countrieswhich are signatories to The Hague Conventions and the Brussels (11a) Regulation) and / or theprofessionalpartnershipssuchasthoseinvolvingtheInternationalSocialServices(ISS)toensurehighquality,accountable,safeandlegalinternationalsocialworkservicesareprovided.

Scope:

Thispolicyconcernsthepracticeofsocialworkerswhereassessmentsarerequiredwhenindividualcasesarebeingconsidered,especiallyinlegalsettings.

This policy doesnot address the situationof children caught up in largepopulationmigrations asrefugeesor asylumseekers. Thereare specificUNConventionsandagreements relating to thosecircumstancesalthoughmanysimilarprinciplesapply.Thispolicyalsodoesnotapplytoabductioncases.

GUIDINGPRINCIPLESBACKGROUND

The Convention on the Rights of the Childmakes clear that any childwhose future care is beingconsideredbyacourtandwhoislivinginadifferentcountryfromtheirextendedfamilyhasarighttoanassessmentofthepotentialforprovidingcareinthatcountry.

Thatassessmentshouldtakeaccountofthebenefitsofakinshiporfamilyfriendplacementintheother country, in terms of development of identity and cultural ties, as well as the benefits ofalternativecare inthecountryofresidence. Itshouldnotbeassumedthatamorewell-resourcedenvironmentinthecountryofresidenceisnecessarilybetterforachildthanafamilyplacementinacountrywithlessdevelopedeconomicresources.Inmakinganassessment,thesocialworkerneedstotakeintoaccountthedevelopmentanddegreeofdisabilityofthechildandthestrengthoffamilytiesalongsideotherfactorssuchastheavailabilityofanyhealthtreatmentsandotherserviceswhichthechild’sconditionmayrequire.

INTRODUCTIONANDRATIONALEInanincreasinglyglobalisedworld,wheregreaternumbersofchildrenandtheirfamiliesaremobileandendupseparatedbyinternationalborders,therehasbeenarise intheneedfor inter-countrysocial work, including international kinship assessments in which relatives in other countries areassessedaspotentialcarersforachildinneedofcare.

The practice involved in undertaking kinship assessments overseas ismultifaceted and each caserequirescarefulconsideration.

These guiding principles outline the ethical, legal and safety considerations associatedwith socialworkers practicing overseas and applies these considerations to international family assessments,whilstoutliningseveralcollaborativeapproaches.Toalignwithbestpractice,protect thesafetyofeveryoneinvolvedandensurethebestinterestsofthechildareupheld,socialworkerswithintheirowncountryarebestplacedtocompleteassessmentsrequestedfromoverseasandsocialworkersshouldnotnormallybetravellingoverseastoconductassessments.Howeversuchanassessmentis

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onlyonepartoftheoverallassessmentandthefinaljudgementaboutwhatisbestforthechildwillliewiththesocialworkerinthecountrywhichhasinitiatedtheassessmentprocess.

CONTEXTAsaresultoftheincreasedcrossbordermovementofpeopleformanyreasons,forexampleseekingwork,educationandself-improvementorescapingwarorconflictsas refugeesorasylumseekers,internationalassessmentshavebecomeamorecommonaspectof theworkundertakenby socialworkersaroundtheworld.Familiesdividedbydistanceandbordersarelessableeasilytoprovidemutual supportwhenneeded, due to age and vulnerability orwhenpeople becomephysically ormentally ill and require care services. In such circumstances, it is frequently advisable to assesswhetherthemosteffectivesupportcanbeprovidedbyadistantfamilymemberorclosefriend inanothercountry.Insomecases,especiallyrelatingtothecareofchildrenfollowingdeath,divorce,separationorincapacity,acourtassessmentisrequiredbeforeadecisionismade.Therearecomplexethicalandpracticeconsiderationsinvolvedinsuchassessments.

Signatories toTheHagueConventionsandBrussels (IIa)Regulationare required tohaveaCentralAuthoritywhichactsasacontactpointandclearinghouseforindividualcases.Theseoperateverydifferently,havewidelydifferingresourcesanddonotnecessarilyhavequalifiedsocialworkersontheirstaff.

Thesameprinciplesapplytoacross-borderassessmentastoanyotherin-countryassessment.Allsocialworkassessmentsrequireanin-depthknowledge,notonlyoftheindividualorgroupneedsofthepeoplesubjecttotheassessment,butalsoanin-depthknowledgeoftheenvironmentandculturalcontextinwhichtheycurrentlyliveorcouldpotentiallybemovedto,orareintheprocessofmovingto. Assessors therefore need to consider the legal, child protection, immigration and social careprovisionandthesocialsupportinfrastructure,includingthelocalsocialprotectionsystems.

People are the experts in their own experience, however theymay have been transported into acultureandanenvironmentthattheydonotknoworunderstandandwhichisdistressing.Similarly,areturntoaformerorancestralcultureandenvironmentwhichhaschangedthroughtimemaybeequally distressing. Encompassing this complex matrix in all its different dimensions, from theindividualtothecommunitytotheenvironmenttowhichitissuggestedthepersonmoves,requiresnotonlytraditionallocalknowledge,butnowamoreglobaldimension:theinternationalislocal.

A social work assessment is completed with the person or people, analysing with them howthey work through change and what supports they will need in that process. It starts withacknowledgingthepersonasthecentreofexpertisebyexperienceoftheiruniquesituation.Whereverpracticable–dependingonage,developmentalcapacityandcircumstances–theviewsofthechildshouldbesoughtandtakenintoaccount.

Journeyingwithpeoplethroughthischangerequiresskills,knowledgeandexpertise inethicalandmulti-culturalpracticeandintheprocessoftransition.

ISSUESSocialworktraining,qualificationsandexperienceinonecountryandjurisdictiondoesnotnecessarilyequipprofessionalstocrossbordersandpracticewithcompetenceinanothercountry.Forregulatedprofessions, the requirement to hold a current practicing certificate from the local country’sregulatorybodylimitscrossboundarywork.Lackoflocalknowledge,orinappropriateassumptionsandcompetenceinanyoftheseareas,maycausedamagetothepersonorpeopleconcernedandcanplacechildrenandtheirfamiliesatrisk.

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LegalconsiderationsEnsuringallsocialworkpracticeislegalandlegitimateisparamountwhenconductingassessmentsoverseas.Asocialworkermaybeworkingillegallyandillegitimatelyiftheydonothaveworkrightsinthe respective overseas country. This could effectively invalidate any assessments they conductabroad and could expose the social worker to criminal prosecution or a ban from the countryconcerned, depending on that country’s immigration and visa laws. There is already at least oneexampleofasocialworkerbeingrefusedentrytoacountrybecausetheyweretravellingonatouristvisatoundertakeanassessment,whichiswork.

Moreover, if a social worker practices social work in a country where social work is a registeredprofession,thenbecausethatsocialworkerisnotregisteredinthatcountry,theywouldeffectivelybepracticing illegallyand thiswouldalsohave implications for theorganisation thatarranged theassessment.Thesepossible legal repercussions for the socialworkerand the sendingorganisationindicatethatinternationalassessmentsshouldalwaysbereferredtolocalsocialworkorganisationsandprofessionalsandnotbeconductedbysocialworkerspracticingabroad,potentiallyillegally.

EthicalconsiderationsPracticinginlinewithestablishedethicalprinciplesunderpinssocialworkvalues,thereforeinordertoensureethicalinternationalassessmentsoccur,thesocialworkercompletingtheassessmentmustbetheprofessionalbestplacedtodoso,withthenecessarylegal,culturalandpracticecompetenciesrelevanttothecountrywithinwhichtheassessmentistobeundertaken.Thismeansthesocialworkerneedstohavethenecessaryunderstandingofthelocalchildprotectionandlegalsystems.Withoutthelocalknowledge,crucialinformationmightnotbecollectedonthebackgroundofthefamilywhoisbeingassessed,includingpotentialcriminalbackgrounds,butalsochildprotectionissuesthatmightberecordedinlocalchildprotectionagenciesthatanoverseassocialworkerisunabletoaccess.The‘visiting’ socialworker is unlikely to have information about supports available to theprospectivekinshipcarers inthatcountryandriskswhichtheywillhavetomanage.A ‘local’socialworkerwillhavetheadditionalbenefitsofknowledgeabouttheculture,customs,languageandserviceswithintheirowncountryandmaythenalsobeabletoassistinthechild’stransitionoverseas,aswellasbeinapositiontoprovidepostplacementreportsifrequired.

The increase in knowledge of the impact of themisuse of power and control in countrieswhereindigenouspeopleshavebeendiscriminatedinthenameofsocialworkinterventionshighlightstheneedtomakesurethateachsocialworkertakespersonalprofessionalresponsibilityforensuringthatanysocialworkinterventionisinaccordwithethicalstandards.

Bynotproperlyconsideringtheethicalperspectivesofaninternationalassessment,thiscouldleavethepotentialcarerinavulnerablepositionastheoverseassocialworkerwouldbeunabletoprovidepotential carers with the essential support and information necessary to establish a successfulplacement.Thus, it isunethical forahomesocialworker tocompletean internationalassessmentwithoutworkingwith local social workers to ensure the necessary support for carers is availablebeyondtheassessmentphase.

SafetyconsiderationsThesafetyofthechildmustbecentraltoanyassessmentbutthesafetyalsoofboththesocialworkerandtheprospectivecarersareimportant.A‘home’socialworkerwithoutlocalknowledgeregardingsuchthingsaschildprotectiondetails,emergencynumbersandsupportservicescouldmeantheiractions have negative implications for the family post placement. Furthermore conducting aninternationalassessmentcouldplaceboththe‘home’socialworkerandtheprospectivecarersinanunnecessarilyunsafesituation,whichmaynotbecoveredbyinsuranceshouldsomethinggowrongwhileconductinganassessment.Suchsituationscould,inextremesituations,resultinantagonismor

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violencebeingexpressedagainstthevisitingsocialworkerand/orsocialconsequencesincludingriskofexclusionor violenceagainst the familybeingassessed. Forexample, thepresenceofa foreignsocialworkercoulddrawattentionfromthecommunityandpotentiallyplaceastigmaonthefamily,particularly in communities where external involvement in a family’s affairs can be seen as anembarrassment.

CollaborativeapproachGiven the legal, ethical and safety issues outlined in this policy, international assessments shouldalwaysbecompletedby,orat leastactively involvea ‘local’socialworkerwithinthecountry.Thisapproachmeansthatthesocialworkersfromeachcountrywillneedtoworktogether.

Whilethiscollaborativeapproachmayseemtimeconsuming,complexorevenoverwhelmingifthesocialworkerhasneverfacilitatedacross-borderplacement,suchcollaborationmitigatesmanyofthelegal, ethical and safety issues associated with international assessments and ensures the bestinterestsofthechildareparamount.

Socialworkispracticedinmanydifferentwaysaroundtheworld.Itfocusesonhelpingpeoplethroughaprocessofchangetoabetteroutcomeforthemthatenhancestheirwell-being.Thismaybethroughindividual work, in groups or through community development. It takes place in many differentcultures andpolitical environments. This can result inmisunderstandingsbetween socialworkersoperatingindifferentpoliticalandculturalenvironmentsandindifferentlanguages.Nevertheless,some shared understanding is essential to deliver assessments which meet the needs of bothcountries,oftenwithinalegalframeworkwithveryspecificrequirementsandexpectations.

There is growing awareness of specific issueswhich can arise in cross-border cases, including thepossibilitiesoftraffickingofpersons(includingsaleofchildren),modernformsofslaveryordomesticservitude, involvement in terrorism or smuggling and risks of discrimination due to ethnic origin,sexual orientationor disability. These issuesneed tobe consideredwhenassessing risk andbestoptions.

OptionsforSocialWorkAssessmentsacrossborders:Localprofessionalsareusuallybestplacedtoconductassessmentsand/orundertakeaninterventionastheyunderstandthelocalresourcesandbestpracticewithintheirlocality.

A number of approaches can be considered for undertaking assessments across borders. Thesedifferentoptionsarenotmutuallyexclusive.

SeparateassessmentsSeparateassessmentscanbepreparedineachofthecountriesandthenwoventogether.However,makingacomparisonoftwoquitedifferentstylesofassessment,thatrelyheavilyontheculturalandpracticeorientationsoftheindividualsocialworkers,carriesrisks.Thismodelalsoimpliesthatneitherofthesocialworkerswillseethepartiestogether,whichoftenlimitsthevalidityoftheassessment.Suchanapproachmustavoidtwoormoreassessmentsofaprospectivecarer–oncebyalocalandasecondtimebyavisitingsocialworker–whichcanresultinanonerous,frustrating,andunnecessaryassessmentprocessandwhichcanbeabusiveofthosebeingassessed.

Leadassessor

Onesocialworker(usuallyfromthecountrywherethechildisplaced)takestheleadandundertakesthefullassessmentbutinvolvesalocalsocialworkertosupplydetailedlocalknowledgeandcontextfor the assessment, including assessing their physical home environment and conducting thenecessarychecks(ifavailable).Thesocialworkerinthecountrywheretheprospectivecarerresides

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wouldreceiveinformationaboutthechildfromthechild’ssocialworker.Thisinformationisthenusedtoinformtheassessmentoftheprospectivecarerandensurethebestmatchbetweenthecarertothechildandtheirspecificneeds.

Crossborderemployment/contractingAsocialworkerfromthecountryinwhichthechildisnowresidentbutwhoisemployedinthecountryseeking the assessment may have both the relevant cultural and local knowledge as well as therelevantcompetenciestoundertakethiswork.Thismayfacilitateculturalunderstandingsbutajointassessmentinbothcountriesmaystillberequired.

UsingrecognisedInternationalNGOSpecially trained socialworkersworking for anNGOsuchas amemberof the International SocialService (ISS) network undertake the assessment. ISS can secure the cooperation of professionalsoverseasviaitsISSnetworkpartnersin120countries.

IftheinternationalassessmentisrequiredinacountryinwhichISSdoesnothaveanetworkmember,thenanothercollaborativeapproachtoconsiderisonethatallowsthesocialworkerwherethechildiscurrentlyplacedtotaketheleadandundertaketheinternationalassessmentwhileusinga localsocialworkertosupplydetailedlocalknowledgeandcontextfortheassessment,includingassessingtheirphysicalhomeenvironmentandconductingthenecessarychecks(ifavailable).

AcknowledgementThispolicystatementhasbeendevelopedbyIFSW,withassistancefromInternationalSocialServices(ISS),toguidesocialworkersandtheiragenciesindecidinghowbesttoundertakeassessmentsacrossborders.

IFSWandISSbothsupportthevisionofaworldasdescribedintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild inwhich children’s best interests and rights are defended and families are connected. IFSWencouragesnationalmemberorganisationsandpracticingsocialworkerstorespecttheConventionandtofollowhighstandardsofethicalpractice.

The International Social Services (ISS) network delivers inter-country casework services that areethical, legaland safewhilstalwaysupholding thebest interestsof thechild. ISS iswellplaced tofacilitate a collaborative approach to international assessments with over 90 years extensiveexperience in inter-country caseworkandwithan international ISSnetworkoperating inover120countries. In order to conduct an international assessment overseas, a Child Protection orGovernmentAuthoritycanaccessISSwhowillorganiseforanassessmenttooccuroverseaseitherthroughtheoverseasISSnetworkmemberorifISScannotprovidethedirectservicethenareferralwouldbemade to theappropriate serviceprovider (either theGovernmentor anon-governmentorganisation)whowillconducttheinternationalassessment.

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APPENDIX1:LISTOFINTERNATIONALCONVENTIONSANDAGREEMENTSDESIGNEDTOPROTECTCHILDREN

• TheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(1948).NewYork:UnitedNations.http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights.

• TheofficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)http://www.unhcr.org.

• Conventionrelatingtothestatusofrefugees(1951).NewYork:UnitedNations.http://www.unhcr.org/uk/3b66c2aa10.

• ConventionontheRightsoftheChild(1989).NewYork:UnitedNations.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx.

• Guidelinesforthealternativecareofchildren(2010).NewYork:UnitedNations.https://www.unicef.org/protection/alternative_care_Guidelines-English.pdf.

• UnitedNationsStandardMinimumRulesfortheAdministrationofJuvenileJustice("TheBeijingRules")(1985)NewYork:UnitedNations.http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/beijingrules.pdf.

• HagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawhttps://www.hcch.net/en/home.• TheHagueConventionof25October1980ontheCivilAspectsofInternationalChild

Abduction(1980).https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/child-abduction.

• TheHagueConventionof29May1993onProtectionofChildrenandCo-operationinRespectofIntercountryAdoption(HagueAdoptionConvention)(1993).https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/intercountry-adoption.

• TheHagueConventionof19October1996onJurisdiction,ApplicableLaw,Recognition,EnforcementandCo-operationinRespectofParentalResponsibilityandMeasuresfortheProtectionofChildren(1996).https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=701996.

• Brussels(IIa)Regulations(2005).Brussels:EuropeanUnion.http://ec.europa.eu/justice/civil/files/brussels_ii_practice_guide_en.pdf.

AllURLscheckedandaccessed15January2018

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APPENDIX2:GENERALMEETINGMOTIONPASSEDMELBOURNEJULY2014

ThisGeneralMeetingacknowledgesthat:

•allactionsconcerningachildshalltakefullaccountoftheUNConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtheconceptofthebestinterestofthechildenshrinedtherein,

•indifferentStatestherearedifferencesinlawsandregulationsthataffecthowthedevelopmentofchildrenintoadultsisperceived,culturallyandlegally,

•regardingassessmentssocialworkersshouldbeconcernedwiththewholeperson,withinthefamily,community,societalandnaturalenvironments,andshouldseektorecogniseallaspectsofachild’slife,

•culturalfactorsthatincludelanguageandcustomsareveryimportantinchildren’slivessincetheystem from ancestral knowledge and traditions in numerous domains • working with local socialservicesiscrucialregardinginternationalassessmentsandcallsuponIFSWSecretariatasamatterofurgency to publish a set of Guiding Principles for Social Workers concerning their role in theassessment of children’s cases that cross nation state borders.FortheelaborationoftheseguidingprinciplescooperationistobesoughtwithInternationalSocialService(ISS)andIASSW,withUNAgenciessuchasUNICEFandUNHCR,andwithNGOsworkinginthisfield.

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APPENDIX3:CASEEXAMPLES

Thefollowingarecaseexamplesofdifferenttypesofsocialworkinterventionillustratingwhatworksandsomeill-conceivedmethodsofengagement:

USA&Mexico

JosewasdeportedfromtheUSAtohishomelandinMexicoafterJose’sworkplacewasraidedbyUSimmigrationenforcementpolice.Jose’swife,Mariel,washomewiththeirinfantsonatthetimeoftheraidandwithinfiveweeksJosehadbeendeportedandMarielfoundherselfalone,unemployedandresponsiblefora4montholdchild.OverthenextfouryearsMarieldidherbesttocareforherson,Javier.

MarielandJosedidtheirbesttokeepintouchbyphoneandmail,butashopefadedthatJosewouldeverbeabletore-entertheUSMarielbeganusingalcoholandmethamphetaminestodullsomeofherheartache.BythetimeJavierwas5hehadbeenremovedfromthecareofhismother3times.FollowingtheprocessofterminatingMariel’srightstoherson,thesocialserviceagencybegunlookingforfamilywithwhomtoplaceJavier.

AlthoughJavierhadnotseenhisfatherinmanyyearshehadkepthislettersandpictures.ThesocialserviceagencyreferredthecasetoISSUSA,whointurnreferredtotheirISSpartnerinMexico.TheywereabletolocatethefatherintwoweeksandinformhimthatJavierwasinfostercare.

Thesocialserviceagencyrequestedahomestudy,communitysurveyandabackgroundcheckonthefathertodetermineifhewouldbeabletotakecustodyofJavier.ISSUSAworkedwiththeISSpartnerinMexicotoprovideallthreeservicestoassisttheJudgeinmakingapermanencydeterminationinJavier’sbestinterest.Inthemeantime,ISSUSAworkedwithJavier’ssocialworkerintheUStoobtaina visa for Javier and worked with theMexican consulate to ensure that Javier would be able topermanentlyresideinMexicoandhavefullaccesstoallresourcesandservicesincludingschoolandhealthcare.

TheISSpartnerinMexicospentagreatdealoftimetalkingwithJoseandhisfamilyaboutsomeoftheemotionalchallengesJavierhadfacedandworkingwiththemtofindspecialprogramstosupportJavierandincorporatetheentirefamilyinhiscareandtreatment.Thehomestudy,backgroundcheckandcommunitysurveywerecompletedinaboutfourweeksandsenttoISSUSA.

FollowingJoseconnectingwiththeUSsocialserviceagencyviaSkypeandparticipatinginthecustodydeterminationhearingintheUSCourtviavideoconferencingequipmentinhislocalMexicanCourt,the Judgeordered that Javierbe returned tohis father inMexico. ISSUSAcoordinatedwith theirpartner inMexico to have a socialworkermeet the Javier and his socialworker at the airport inMexico.

JoseandhisfamilywerealsothereandtheywerehappytohavesomeonehelpwalkthemthroughthefirstawkwardmomentsofJavier’sarrival.Javier’ssocialworkerremainedinMexicoforfourdaysandworkedalongsidetheISSpartnersocialworkerwithJavierandhisfamily.

WhentheUSsocialworkerreturned,theISSpartnerinMexicocontinuedtomakedailyvisitsfortwoweeks.ForthefollowingyeartheISSpartner inMexicovisitedthehomeofJoseandJavieronceamonthandreportedtoISSUSAontheoutcomes.ISSUSAforwardedthesereportstothesocialworker

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intheUSandthentheUSsocialserviceagencyclosedthecaseandISSUSAinformedtheISSpartnerinMexicothatnoadditionaloversightwasneeded.

AustraliaandFrance

Charmaineisa10yeargirllivinginSydneywithdualcitizenshipofAustraliaandFrance.CharmainewasplacedinthesolecareofherfatherDonunderFamilyCourtarrangementsandhermother,SallyhadcontactwithCharmainetwiceweeklyforseveralhours.

DonwasthenfounddeceasedinhisresidenceandwhilethematterwasbeinginvestigatedbythePolice,Charmainewasplacedwithherhalfsibling’smotherunderinformalarrangements.

TheChildProtectionAuthorityassessedCharmaine’smotherSallyasanunsuitablecarerforherandCourtproceedingsbegan.Annie,Charmaine’spaternalaunt inFrance,alsobecameaparty to theCourtproceedingsandstatedshewould liketohaveCharmaineplaced inher longtermcare.TheCourtmadeorders permitting Charmaine to travel to France for amonth’s holidaywithAnnie asCharmainehashadanongoingrelationshipwithherpaternalfamilywhoresideinFrance.TheChildProtection Authority Social Worker met with Annie while she was in Sydney and completed apreliminary placement assessment, which was positive, however still required a more in depthassessmentofAnneandherhomeenvironmentinFrance.

TheChildProtectionAuthorityapproachedISSAustraliaseekingassistancetoobtainacomprehensivekinshipplacementassessmentofAnnieinFrance.TheChildProtectionAuthoritywasadvisedtheISSBranchinFrancehadclosed,howevertheneighbouringBranch,ISSSwitzerland,wouldbepleasedtoassist.AformalreferralwassenttoISSSwitzerlandrequestingthatacomprehensiveassessmentofAnniebeconducted, including informationaboutherhome, familyandenvironmental factorsandChildProtectionandPolicechecks.

ISSSwitzerlandwasabletoliaisewiththeFrenchCentralAuthoritytoarrangeanassessmentofAnnie,whichwasconductedbyaFrenchChildProtectionAuthoritywhereAnnieresided.ThereportwasusedasevidenceintheCourtproceedingsinAustraliatomakedecisionsaboutCharmaine’slongtermcare,and theoutcomewas thatCharmainewas tobeplacedpermanentlywithherpaternalauntAnnieinFrance,andshewouldhavefullparentalresponsibilityforCharmaine.

ISSAustraliawiththeassistanceofISSSwitzerlandorganizedsomepostplacementsupporttooccurin the form of visits from the French Child Protection Authority. ISS handled all the internationalelementsofthiscase,allowingtheAustralianChildProtectionAuthoritytoavoidusingitsvaluableresources(timeandstaff)tonavigatethroughaforeignsysteminwhichithaslittleornoexperience.ISSSwitzerlandliaisedwiththeFrenchCentralAuthorityandChildProtectionAuthoritytoarrangetheassessment;thisinvolvedaseriesofphonecallsandlettersinFrench.IftheAustralianChildProtectionAuthorityhadbeenforcedtoarrangethiswithouttheassistanceofISSSwitzerland’snativeFrenchspeakers,significanttranslationcostsmayhavebeenincurredwhichinturnwouldhaveresultedindelaysinfacilitatingtheassessment-clearlynotinthebestinterestsofthechild.

SwitzerlandandGuinea

Adisabledadult living in Switzerland,wishes to re-migrateand joinagainhiswifeand children inGuinea (Bissau).Ashehasno longerGuineannationality (henaturalizedasPortuguese), currentlycontact isbeingmade throughour ISScorrespondent inGuinea (anNGOpartnerof the ISS-West-

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Africa-Network)tomakeadministrativeinvestigationsandalsoassessthefamilysituationthere.ThemandatecomesfromthelocaladultprotectionserviceinSwitzerland.

UKandRomania

Following the revelations of the Ceausescu orphanages there was an increase in internationaladoptionsandnewsocialworkservicesweredevelopedcopyingmanyoftheideasandpracticefromWesternEurope.Manychildrenhadtheirrights ignoredbysometimeswell-meaningbutculturallyignorantpeople.The internationaladoptionswerestoppedand theorphanagesbecame fullagainthroughlackofsustainablesocialdevelopment.

AustriaandRomania

InvestinginthetrainingofsocialworkersfromRomaniaandinthegrowthofcommunityinitiativeshasbuiltuptheresourceswithinRomania.Thishasgrownthelocaleconomyandserviceshavemovedfromthe‘rescue’notionsofthe1990stosustainabledevelopmenttoday.

RefugeesandAidagencies

SomeAidagenciesworkingaroundtheMediterraneanhavestartedtoemploysocialworkersfromtherefugeepopulation.Thishashadaprofoundeffectontheirabilitytomeetneedbyunderstandingtheneedsofthepeopleintransition,ithasgivenemploymenttopeoplewhowantedtobeengagedinworkandbuildingthefuture.Ithasaddedpeopleintothewageearningstructurecontributingtothetaxsystemandpublicincome.Ithasrecognizedthedignityandrespectofpeopleencompassingtherealitythatrefugeesprovidemoreincometothecommunitiestheyarewelcomedintoratherthanaddingtothepubliccost.

AidAgenciesandthePhilippines

Twofishingvillagesonneighbouring islandsaffectedbyatyphoon.Bothneededtoberebuilt; thesameaidagenciesonhandtohelp.Onecommunityusedtheskillsandtheresourcesofsocialworkknowledgeaboutempowermentofpeople,theirneedtobeinvolvedandconsultedabouttheirlivesthatwereundergoingmassivechangeinthewakeofmuchgriefandloss.Theotheradoptedthe‘needtoberescued’approach.Within6months inthefirstvillagehousesererebuilt inasafer location,fishingwasrestored,peopleweregettingwagesandthelocaleconomywasinrecovery.Thesecondvillagehadnotsignificantlychanged.