Equity in Permanency in Practice: Supporting Family Restoration Across Borders
ISS Australia received a request to assist in a matter involving three children currently on interim care orders. Their mother, Kyra¹, was living in the Middle East, and the Australian child protection authority sought to determine whether restoration to her care was a suitable long-term permanency option.
While living in Australia, Kyra had experienced severe domestic violence at the hands of her husband. With no family support and limited options for safety, she returned to her home country, leaving the children in their father’s care. Unfortunately, the children were later removed due to significant and ongoing physical neglect and abuse.
When contacted, Kyra expressed her strong desire for the children to be restored to her care, explaining that she now had a stable support network, housing, and employment in her country of origin.
In line with ISS’s Equity in Permanency Principles, ISS Australia prepared a comprehensive referral to our ISS member in the Middle East to facilitate a culturally appropriate and child-centred assessment. The ISS member worked closely with the provincial child protection authority to conduct an in-depth evaluation of Kyra’s living circumstances and parenting capacity.
Having local professionals involved (Principle 3 – Local Expertise) ensured that the assessment captured the social, cultural, and environmental context in which Kyra would be parenting. This collaboration also allowed for the identification of relevant support services and resources to assist her and the children upon restoration. The process included background checks, multiple interviews, and home visits, as well as the development of contingency plans in case of placement challenges.
Further guidance was provided on how the children could be safely prepared and transitioned to Kyra’s care (Principle 6 – Adequate Planning), outlining pre-placement and post-placement supports, local services available to Kyra, and arrangements for the children’s ongoing contact with family in Australia.
The comprehensive report, translated and shared by our ISS member, recommended that Kyra had both the capacity and environment to resume full care of her children.
The restoration was approved and successfully completed. ISS Australia is proud that this outcome as it embodies our commitment to Equity in Permanency, upholding the children’s right to live in a safe, stable, and nurturing family environment that maintains their identity, culture, and connections.
¹ Name changed to protect privacy.
SOURCE: ISS AUSTRALIA
