Alone in the UK - When children are separated from their families across borders
On 29th September 2009 ISS UK held a one day training event at St. Katharine’s Foundation, London as part of a series of training events on social work with an international element.
This sell out event featured a line-up of excellent speakers aiming to increase delegate’s understanding of the situation of separated children globally and within the UK.The day was a huge success giving delegates lots of practical advice to take away with them along with examples of intercountry casework. The day provoked a lot of discussion and information exchange amongst practitioners.
The day kicked off with an introduction from the ISS UK chair, Nadine Wesslowski who introduced delegates to the work ISS UK carries out in regards to intercountry social work.
Delegates then heard from Nadine Finch, a barrister from Garden Court Chambers who explored the legal situation of separated children in the UK, giving delegates a thorough understanding of the legal aspects involved when dealing with children who arrive alone into the UK.
This was followed by Bindu Issac who gave a presentation with her colleague Ewa Hussain on how the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) can assist voluntary return for unaccompanied minors. Bindu and Ewa gave delagates a detailed overview of the work the IOM carries out and the services they can offer.
The morning was rounded off by Sarah Van Doosselaere from the British Red Cross who introduced in detail their international tracing and messaging services.
After lunch Savita de Sousa from BAAF kicked the afternoon off with a very interactive presentation about privately fostered children. Delegates were shown a short informative video on privately fostering children here in the UK.
Simon Chorley from Stop the Traffik helped delegates explore and increase awareness of child trafficking. A moving video was shown highlighting the severity of this growing problem around the world. To read more about the invaluable work Stop the Traffik does please click here.
The day was brought to a close by ISS UK’s Nadine Wesslowski and Florence Grandvalet who discussed some case studies with an international perspective, giving a summary with key considerations for professionals to be aware of when faced with intercountry casework.
Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved. If you use any of this material please make reference to the author and source.
With the kind support of the City Bridge Trust.
ISS UK would like to thank the speakers for presenting on the day and also for allowing us to use their material.