When children enter the child protection system, they risk losing more than just their immediate caregivers – they can also lose connection to family, culture, and identity. With over half of Australia’s population either born overseas or having a parent born overseas, many children in care have important family ties beyond our borders.
ISS Australia works to prevent these connections from being lost, seeking to reunite children with extended family wherever they may be.
Whether it’s placing a child with family overseas or helping them stay in touch with family members, ISS’s work is testament to the belief that relationships matter.
Ten years ago, baby Joshua had no family placement options in Australia and his future was uncertain. ISS stepped in to explore international kinship care possibilities. Through their diligent efforts, they located Joshua’s extended family in Borneo. After thorough assessments and collaboration with international partners, Joshua was placed with his maternal grandparents. This placement is allowing him to grow up within his cultural context – surrounded by family, preserving his heritage and providing him with a stable, loving environment.
Watch the video to learn more about Joshua’s journey to belonging.
ISS Australia helps 10 year old Joshua reconnect with his family overseas.
