Professional Documents
Culture Documents
REFUGEE BACKGROUNDS
1. THE COMPLEXITY OF THE REFUGEE EXPERIENCE
Who are Refugees?
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Australias Response
The Australian government is a signatory to
both the United Nations 1951 Convention and
the 1968 Protocol relating to the Status of
Refugees. Australias Humanitarian Program is
divided into 2 components:
1. Off-Shore Program (Resetttlement)
2. On-Shore Program (Asylum/Protection)
In 2012-2013 Australia granted 20,019 visas
under its program (DIABP website, 2014).
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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These factors can interact in powerful and complex ways, and the complex interface between these
factors and the psychological, cultural, educational and religious attributes of the individual, family and
community can be used to illustrate the complexity of the experience of refugee clients resettling in
Australia or seeking protection (Aroche and Coello, 1994).
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Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Resettlement Challenges
International Events
Australian Environment
The relationship between refugees and asylum
seekers and the Australian environment, which
includes the political system, the complex
network of government and non-government
service providers, the community at large and
other systems, eventually determines the
overall conditions for success in the processes
of recovery and resettlement of refugees, and
for how well asylum seekers cope with their
uncertain situation.
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Protective Factors
How well refugees and asylum seekers cope
with the complex interaction discussed in this
section will depend on individual internal and
protective factors such as those listed below
(Aroche and Coello, 1994).
Internal
Balanced, well regulated brain
Positive outlook
High self-esteem
Sense of safety
Sense of identity
External
Supportive family
Supportive school
Friends
Fun activities
Status
Resources
Reference group
Safe environment
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Trauma
Interventions
Biological
Psychological
Social
Trauma not only impacts on individuals; it also impacts on families, social support networks, refugee
communities and Australian society and institutions.
STARTTS Bio-Psychosocial Systemic Model
Mainstream Society and Institutions
Refugee Community
Support Network
Family
Interventions
Trauma
Individual
Bio
Psycho
Social
This translates into a culturally aware Bio-Psycho-Social Systemic Approach to service provision
focusing on assisting peoples RECOVERY from refugee trauma that contemplates early intervention,
secondary prevention and capacity building strategies alongside clinical interventions at individual,
family and group levels.
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Biological
Changes to the brain
Injuries, illnesses
Somatic pain, chronic pain
Trauma
Headaches
Appetite and digestive problems
Biological
Psychological
Social
Difficulty learning
English
Difficulties finding
work
Financial difficulties
and poverty
Legal problems
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Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Assessment
Important note
Refugees may present with multiple and complex problems which intersect across many different
services and therefore there can be the need for good casework and referral skills. Service
provision should focus on assisting the clients recovery from their experiences.
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Family members may have been separated or killed breakup of support systems
Family breakdown
Attachment relationships altered
Change in family roles children take on increased responsibility, the power of women is
increased
Domestic violence
Intergenerational conflict altered position of children in Australian society
Unemployment and economic hardship for the family
Traumatised parents face challenges which can impact on their capacity to nurture and raise their
children:
Parenting challenges due to trauma (eg. emotional availability), culture, skills, knowledge and
disorientation
Guilt and overprotective parenting
Limited understanding of parenting norms, child protection system and laws in Australia
Poor coping skills
Mental illness
Individual counselling
Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) program
Other types of groups
Referral and link-up to other services such as family support programs, community health
services, drug and alcohol services, etc
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Issues
Consequences
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Communicate Effectively
How and what you communicate to refugee and
asylum seeker clients will have an impact on how
they trust you, and how safe and in control they
feel with you. Dont underestimate the power of
being nice. The positive connection you make
with your client can contribute in a meaningful
way to restoring their dignity and value as a
human being.
Some things that can be helpful include:
Use the principles of working crossculturally in the context of refugee trauma
Use interpreters (see box)
Use a calm voice and open body language
Take time to ease into the conversation.
Take care not to ask questions in such a
way that it appears like an interrogation
Explain simply and clearly the service and
options, your role and how any information
collected will be used so they know what to
expect
Emphasise confidentiality and its limits
Be patient and be willing to repeat
information several times. Confirm the
clients understanding
Be flexible and allow the client to lead.
Empower the client to make informed
choices
Set clear limits and dont promise things
you cant do
Actively listen
Be sincere, convey respect, care and belief
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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Help Build the Clients Strengths and Resilience and make Connections
Acknowledge the clients journey so far.
Help the client identify their strengths, how have they coped before, what have they done
well and what has motivated them.
Encourage the client to recognise that they are responsible for how they are feeling and how
they see their life. Encourage them to reframe their life focusing on their qualities and
strengths, not just the deficits.
For asylum seekers especially, it helps to keep focused on the present and what they can
control right now. Assist the client to get organised and in control of what they can.
Encourage and resource the client to do activities which are constructive and could make a
positive contribution to their future. This is especially true for asylum seekers.
Handout Trainings in the Workplace Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds
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STARTTS does have a waiting list, but it is managed, so that people in greatest need will be seen first.
Children are given priority. STARTTS is not a crisis service and therefore does not see clients for acute
psychotic episodes or suicide threats or attempts.
STARTTS services are free of charge. Visit our website for more information about referrals
(www.startts.org.au).
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Vicarious Trauma
As a witness to your clients responses to past
traumatic experiences, you may experience
distress, anxiety and sadness. This is called
vicarious trauma, or trauma felt at second
hand through the experiences of another.
Vicarious trauma is normal and unavoidable.
It does not mean that there is anything wrong
with you or that you cannot do your job.
However it is important that you dont ignore
your feelings of distress. These are real and
you may need some help. Otherwise you are
at risk of burnout.
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