International Social Service (ISS)’s Post

Let's see how many Canadians will register for this global webinar! Come and find out about the ISS Equity in Permanency Principles. See you there!

REMINDER REMINDER REMINDER Please do not forget to register for the ISS Global Webinar on 'Cross Border Family Connections and 7 Principles to Protect Children's Rights in Practice'. In this Webinar, we will share an overview of the principles, highlighting the importance of exploring #crossborder family connections for #childrenincare. We will provide practical case examples of implementing the principles and invite participants to join us on a journey to embed the principles in policy and practice. A Global Advocacy Paper on ‘Equity in Permanency’ was recently developed by ISS members International Social Service Australia, International Social Service Canada (SSI Canada), ISS Japan, Children and Families Across Borders, and International Social Service, USA Branch, in collaboration with the ISS General Secretariat. The paper presents 7 principles and recommended #childprotection practices that prioritise the exploration of #familyplacement, both locally and overseas, without discrimination of any kind. Exploring family placements is important given they are proven to achieve positive outcomes for children, helping them avoid unnecessary and long-term institutional care, unrelated, and achieve better life outcomes. Interested to read the paper? Please follow this link, https://lnkd.in/g_dwRuvw. Link for the registration to the Europe/Americas/Middle East session on March 19th at 2:00 PM GMT+0:00. https://lnkd.in/gsKy9KYF Link for the registration to the Asia-Pacific session on March 21st at 10:00 AM GMT+8:00. https://lnkd.in/gW6f_rbN   If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact: jasmine.rai@cfab.org.uk #equityinpermanency #ISS100 #ISSCONNECT2024 #childprotection #childrensrights #families

🔍 Discover insights into the educational realities and needs of migrant children and youth in West and North Africa in a new paper by Mixed Migration Centre (MMC). Key findings include: 🏫 57% of caregivers reported that children in their care were not accessing childcare or education services at the time of the interview. 🎓 29% of caregivers highlighted that access to formal or informal education is the most critical need for the children in their care, more so than food assistance (20%) and healthcare access (18%). 💼 Lower education levels significantly correlate with increased job-finding difficulties. 📥 Download the report in English or French to explore more findings https://lnkd.in/eXfV8h9x The paper was published in partnership with Helvetas, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, Switzerland, Terre des hommes foundation, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Régis Blanc Thibaut Girault Sophia S. Aurélia Donnard Jen Vallentine

SIHMA is proud to announce the finalization of the report “Pathways of Wellbeing and (un)Belonging - Understanding the Experience of Migrant Youth in Alternative Care and Recently Out of Care in Cape Town”, authored by Dr. Glynis Clacherty, Dr. Rachel Chinyakata, and Dr. Cletus Muluh Momasoh, and edited by Fr. Filippo Ferraro. The report will be launched at the “The Need to Belong: Pathways Towards Durable Solutions” conference on September 26th in Cape Town. This event will shine a light on the significant challenges faced by migrant children and youth in alternative care and those nearing the transition to independent living. The conference will highlight the need for durable solutions, particularly in relation to accessing proper documentation - a fundamental right that remains elusive for many. Through art-based participatory research, the voices of young people are brought to the forefront, illustrating their struggles with legal insecurity and the emotional impact of feeling alienated from their communities. The report reveals how many migrant youth leave alternative care at 18 without proper legal documentation, hindering their ability to pursue higher education, secure employment, or even obtain a driver’s license. Despite their resilience and personal coping strategies, their lack of legal status continues to impact their sense of identity and belonging. As one participant described, they often feel "invisible," like a "ghost" or "a book that is just moved around." Facilitated by the Commissioner for Children, the conference will also create a platform for direct engagement with youth advocates and stakeholders passionate about driving change. The findings of this research offer critical insights that will inform policy discussions and inspire new approaches to addressing the legal and emotional needs of migrant youth in South Africa. We invite policymakers, civil society, and all interested parties to join the conversation and advocate for the rights and well-being of these young individuals. Read more on the report on our website: https://lnkd.in/d7_2J-3S #YouthAdvocacy #MigrantRights #AlternativeCare #PolicyChange #HumanRights #SIHMA #CapeTown #Belonging #DurableSolutions #ChildProtection #Inclusion #LegalRights

Our Stepping Stone Academy Since 2016 we have been helping our beneficiaries with challenges they face upon arriving in Greece. Many of them are lone refugee mothers with their children. Throughout the years, we have listened to and learned from these women. We often hear a desire for one comprehensive place where services are offered that focus not only on them, but also on their children. Only when these mothers know their child is also taken care of, can they truly focus on their own development. For us this was the reason to develop our Stepping Stone Academy. As our founder Nantina Tsekeri put it: "All we wish is to become the lighthouse where children and women can be reminded of their value, dignity and incredible potential. Experience has shown us that only through a trauma-informed approach founded on trust, consistency and high-level expertise the above can happen. In this direction, we aim to offer them the 'safe space' to place their trauma, needs and future dreams. We, as a team of experts, are there to hear and see them when they feel invisible, but also to take targeted actions towards the realization of their specific rights." Through the Stepping Stone Academy our amazing women can profit from educational and vocational training opportunities, in addition to our traditional services like legal aid and protection services. Simultaneously we offer age-appropriate psychosocial activities for their children, where they can form social connections in a supportive environment, fostering their overall well-being. Follow us to learn more about this program, hear personal stories of our beneficiaries and to support us in our other activities. #childrensrights #refugees #womensrights #personaldevelopment

Since I started my PhD a year ago, it's been challenging to keep up with LinkedIn. However, I couldn't miss the opportunity to share this series of papers developed in my last collaboration with UNICEF Brasil, which are now also available in English translations. The publications are the result of a project in partnership with Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and were supported by the extensive network of partners backing UNICEF in over 2,000 Brazilian municipalities, some of which I had the pleasure of visiting during this research. 1 – Financing of Brazil’s Unified Social Assistance System. This paper discusses the financing of SUAS, the (often) unsung professional social workers' network that contributes significantly to the success of Bolsa Familia and other programs it supports at the local level (https://lnkd.in/dRfU3_jJ). 2 – Cash transfer programs in Brazil: the new Bolsa Família and its predecessors. This one provides a comprehensive description of Bolsa Familia, from its launch in 2003 to its format as of late 2023, including a discussion of how Auxilio Emergencial and Auxilio Brasil factored in this process (https://lnkd.in/dgUPgGeV). 3 – Adequacy of Brazilian social protection programs to the needs of children and adolescents. This paper assesses the child-sensitivity of over 20 flagship Brazilian social programs and services, drawing from the framework that my dear IPC-IG has successfully applied in many regional profiles across the world (https://lnkd.in/d8tACkPc). 4 – Management of the Unified Social Assistance (SUAS) in Brazil. This one discusses key aspects to understand the multi-level governance of SUAS (https://lnkd.in/dxMrvACd). A significant challenge, and potentially the main merit of these papers, was their commitment to also include services (rather than just parametric programs) and to highlight the importance of well-designed delivery and governance systems. A big thanks to the fantastic UNICEF team who made this happen, Liliana Chopitea, Santiago Falluh Varella, Niklas Stephan, Julia Albino, Juliana Bernardino, Kassia Siqueira, Thais de Bakker Castro. I miss the field, miss the projects and miss the teamwork SOOO MUCH! 😊

On the 4th of September 1925, Lady Mary Gladstone, the President of the then International Migration Service, signed the first Constitution, defining the foundation, structure and core working values of the now International Social Service. Among the core working principles were;  ✅ Service should be given irrespective of the nationality, or of the sectarian or political persuasion of those to be served. ✅ The program should be adapted to the current needs and conditions of each country. ✅ The Branch Committees and staff should be predominantly indigenous to their countries. ✅ There should be common policies, methods, and standards of service with emphasis on quality. These working principles were the forerunners of ISS core principles and values of today. The principles of Humanity, Inclusion, Integrity and Impartiality are still at the heart of our work. www.100yearsiss.org #ISS100 #100yearsISS #ISSwomenexplorers #ISSrestoringlinks #ISSpioneeradvocacy #ISSsocialworkers #families #childprotection #childrensrights #ISSCONNECT2024

During the ISS International Conference 'Throughout time, across borders', panellists discussed the increasing number of #childrenonthemove worldwide, driven by various #crises and #conflicts. These children, especially separated and unaccompanied children, often find themselves without #psychosocial and #legal support, leading to #marginalization and exposure to #humanrightsviolations. ISS underscores the importance of training the social workforce and enabling professionals to better understand and meet the unique needs of these vulnerable children. Furthermore, multi-agency and multidisciplinary cross border case management is critical for delivering holistic support. Please follow this link to learn more about ISS' activities related to children on the move, https://lnkd.in/gxXCx2GK. #childrensrights #childprotection #socialworkers #crossborder #families

On behalf of EPIC Empowering People In Care, Dr. Prospera Tedam SFHEA, Dr. Joanne Kelleher and I are undertaking a qualitative, participatory study to examine how the rights of unaccompanied minors / separated children are being upheld in Ireland as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Refugee Convention and Optional Protocol. We are recruiting research participants! 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼? Social Care Workers and other professionals working in settings accommodating Separated Children Seeking International Protection / Unaccompanied Minors in Ireland. We are conducting interviews to understand the unique challenges, insights, and rewarding moments you encounter in this critical work. Your experiences can provide valuable insights to help improve supports and services for this group of children.   The interviews are confidential, and participation is voluntary with flexible scheduling to fit your availability. Interviews can be held online or in person. If you are interested in contributing to this important research, contact the research team at muireann.niraghallaigh@ucd.ie or 01 7168146 #IHRECsupported This project has received funding from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as part of the Commission's statutory power to provide grants to promote human rights and equality under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.

As the saying goes, 'If you think tough conversations are hard, wait until you see what happens when we avoid them.' Parents and guardians, the reality of the younger generation might look so different from ours. At the heart of it all, you’ll see the struggles are familiar: figuring out where they belong, pushing back against stereotypes, and searching for their place. It’s definitely something we’ve all been through at one point or another, haven’t we? Through our Migrant Parents Networks in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Bremen, and Schleswig-Holstein, we’ve learned that achieving educational equity—and advocating effectively for all children’s needs—doesn’t happen on its own. True connection with our children isn’t built through a single conversation; it’s created through ongoing talks, small check-ins, and open spaces where everyone, including our kids, feels safe to be honest. These conversations matter now more than ever. In less than two weeks, we’re excited to gather at the Landeshaus in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, for the launch of our newest Migrant*innen Elternnetzwerk Schleswig-Holstein. This network is more than just an event; it’s a platform from migrants parents for migrant parents in Schleswig-Holstein to connect, share experiences, and find the support they need to help their children thrive in school and beyond. With 72 people already signed up, thank you! If you’re joining us, please remember to bring your ID (Ausweis) and feel free to share this invitation with anyone who might benefit—everyone is welcome, including children. Here’s to celebrating this milestone together and honoring the incredible strength of migrant families as we take the next steps forward. We can’t wait to see you there! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eUDyMMcP A huge thank you to our partners: the Landesbeauftragte für Flüchtlings-, Asyl- und Zuwanderungsfragen in SH, das Bildungsministerium Schleswig-Holstein, das Bundeselternnetzwerk, FRSH, Elterngremien in SH, and everyone supporting our work. #ParentingTogether #YouthSupport #MigrantParentsinGermany #BuildingConnections #amfn #bbt