All parents know that raising children can be a challenging experience. So you can imagine that raising a family can be quite overwhelming for a newly arrived refugee or migrant family adjusting to life in a new countryfar from family, friends and networks, with a new language and school system.

For single mum, Linh*, becoming a foster carer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

For single mum, Linh, becoming a foster carer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

Through a partnership with Legal Aid NSW, SSI is helping to introduce the subject of family safety and law to newly arrived refugees and migrants through a series of specially designed information sessions across western Sydney. All newly arrived people supported by SSI already take part in orientation sessions that include information on housing, budgeting, transport, caring for children and family and domestic violence; However SSI case managers identified the need to deliver family related information in a more focused way.

The Open Adoption and Multicultural Communities practice forum, held on Thursday November 12, brought together leading out-of-home care practitioners and NGOs to discuss challenges and considerations of open adoption with regard to migrant and refugee communities.

SSI and Northern Settlement Services, members of the Hunter Multicultural Advisory Committee, were integral in facilitating the CALD Child Protection Forum held in Newcastle last week.