About Settlement services international
Settlement Services International: Empowering Communities through Inclusive Services
Settlement Services International (SSI) is a community-based not-for-profit organisation that has been providing essential services to refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable communities in New South Wales (NSW) for over 65 years. With a mission to empower individuals and communities through inclusive services, SSI has become a leading provider of settlement support, housing assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.
At SSI, the focus is on creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. The organisation recognises that people from diverse backgrounds have unique needs and challenges when it comes to settling into a new country or community. Therefore, SSI's approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual or family they serve.
Refugee Settlement
One of the core areas of service at SSI is refugee settlement. The organisation provides comprehensive support to refugees who are resettling in Australia under various programs such as Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP), Community Support Program (CSP), Special Humanitarian Program (SHP), etc.
SSI's refugee settlement program includes pre-arrival planning and orientation sessions for refugees before they arrive in Australia. Upon arrival, refugees receive assistance with accommodation arrangements; access to education; health care; legal advice; language classes; employment readiness training; social integration activities such as sports clubs or cultural events.
Asylum Seeker Assistance
SSI also provides vital assistance to asylum seekers who are awaiting their visa application outcomes while living in the community on bridging visas. Asylum seekers face many challenges during this period including financial hardship due to limited work rights and lack of access to government-funded services such as Medicare.
SSI's Asylum Seeker Assistance program offers case management support which includes financial assistance for basic needs like food vouchers or rent payments if required. Additionally, asylum seekers can access legal advice regarding their visa applications or any other issues they may be facing during this time.
Housing Assistance
Finding affordable housing can be challenging for anyone but especially so for newly arrived migrants who may not have established networks within the community yet. SSI's Housing Assistance program helps clients find suitable accommodation options based on their individual circumstances such as family size or location preferences.
The program also offers tenancy management support which includes advocacy with landlords if there are any issues with maintenance or repairs needed within the property leased by clients from private landlords under various schemes like National Rental Affordability Scheme(NRAS).
Multicultural Foster Care
Multicultural Foster Care is another area where SSI excels at providing culturally appropriate care options for children from diverse backgrounds who cannot live with their birth families due to various reasons like abuse/neglect/abandonment etc., Multicultural Foster Carers provide temporary homes where children can feel safe while waiting either reunification with birth families or permanent placement through adoption/foster care arrangements depending upon circumstances surrounding each case individually assessed by caseworkers assigned by FACS(Family And Community Services).
Disability Support
People living with disabilities often require additional supports when it comes to accessing essential services like healthcare providers/education providers/employment opportunities etc., At SSI Disability Support team works closely alongside clients' families/caregivers/support workers ensuring that all necessary supports are put into place so that people living with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives within their communities without barriers preventing them from achieving goals set out together collaboratively between client/family/caseworker team members involved throughout process until desired outcomes achieved successfully together collectively working towards common goal(s).
Employment Services
Finding meaningful employment opportunities can be challenging even more so when you're new in town without established networks yet! At SSI Employment Service team works closely alongside jobseekers helping them identify suitable job vacancies matching skills/experience/backgrounds/preferences whilst also offering training/upskilling opportunities if required along way towards achieving desired outcomes collaboratively working together until successful placements made possible!
Conclusion:
In conclusion,SII has been empowering individuals & communities since 1951 through its range of inclusive services designed specifically around unique needs/challenges faced by those seeking refuge/asylum/migrants/disabled persons looking forward towards brighter futures ahead full potential realised successfully together collectively working towards common goal(s). With its experienced staff members & volunteers dedicatedly serving those most vulnerable amongst us every day tirelessly making positive differences one person/family/community at time!