Evaluation of the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS)

particularly critical problem for proposers who are illiterate, and for some smaller ethnic groups
who do not have a written language.
Tendency to only link entrants with services that the proposers have used themselves. An EHAI
provider reported that from its observations proposers never refer clients to services with which
they have not had personal contact. Notwithstanding the information provided by PS, proposers
might not be fully familiar with all of the appropriate services that entrants may require. Many
proposer supported families are reportedly not linked to HFS or EHAI. This has occurred with
some entrants who arrived and required urgent medical attention.
The complex networks of services and the unclear boundaries between services that are
available or unavailable to proposed entrants confuses and frustrates proposers, especially as
they may have arrived as refugees themselves and had access to the full range of IHSS services.
The fragmentation of IHSS services discussed previously presents particularly significant
problems for proposers as they do not always know where to go for assistance.
Problems with accessing accommodation. As they do not have access to AS, proposer
sponsored families experience particularly acute difficulties in securing accommodation. As
discussed above, finding accommodation can be a very challenging task even for AS providers.
Competing in the private rental market is a complicated and difficult task, which many proposers
and entrants are not equipped to undertake. Entrants may experience particular difficulty in
finding accommodation in situations where the proposer/entrant relationship has broken down.
Poor financial circumstances and living conditions. Proposers may often be in a poor financial and
material situation to support entrants. For instance, proposers may have significantly indebted
themselves purchasing airfares and medical screenings for the entrants. They may have raised
the money at the expense of their own well-being and living conditions (given that they may have
had difficulty securing employment, been reliant on welfare payments and needed to settle
themselves). Further they may have had continuing responsibilities to support family members
living overseas.
The families arriving now are putting their lives on hold to bring their other family
members through.
(PS provider)
Volunteers and service providers reported that entrants often arrive to very poor conditions.
Some proposers are found to have little or no food available, no refrigeration, or inadequate
space to accommodate the entrants.
Proposers may also be experiencing a range of other stresses and problems. For instance,
stakeholders reported that family violence issues are a major concern with proposer sponsored
families.
Proposers may not always understand the level of commitment required to assist an entrant
through the initial settlement process.
Proposers’ circumstances may have changed since the original application process, given that
there is often a significant delay between this process and the entrant’s arrival.
Proposers may deliberately over-state (or be overly optimistic about) their capacity to support
entrants. This may arise from the fact that guaranteeing to provide proposer support may be the
only way to enable family members of the proposer to come to Australia.
53
Evaluation of the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy 27 May 2003