International Kinship care in Australia: Issues and needs of young immigrants

Abstract

Over the decade from 2008 to 2017, 3,627 orphans without parental care migrated to Australia under the provisions of the Orphan Relative visa stream to live with and to be cared for by their extended relatives. They came from a wide range of countries and situations, including from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia, and arrived in various states of vulnerability due to their experiences of conflict and displacement. While it is clear international kinship care placements are a big adjustment for carers and orphans, little is known about the issues and needs affecting both groups and the related service system implications. This paper draws on findings from two phases of a qualitative..