FLN Refugee Support program ( RSP )
The RSP offers responsive support and referral services to newly arrived migrants , refugees and people seeking asylum . It focuses on building the knowledge and skills necessary for individuals to achieve independence as quickly as possible . We currently have more than 350 clients registered with this service . The program provides practical help including : � � information about other services and other supports advocacy to ensure new arrivals are able to access the services they need
� information about Education and training and ;
� direct referral to appropriate services and programs
Through the year clients presented with a range of needs and issues that were often intertwined and which , if unsupported , had the potential for profound negative impact on health and wellbeing and for aggravating pre- existing issues related to migration ( e . g . moving to a new country , learning a new language , absorbing a new culture ). All factors that reduce capacity for independence and learning outcomes , significantly delaying the benefits of successful re-settlement . RSP clients during the year have included newly arrived migrants , refugees , people seeking asylum and people on temporary protection visas . These clients were originally from countries such as Somalia , South Sudan , Eritrea , Vietnam , China and Afghanistan . On average , women use the service more than men and often they are young ad of working age , single and unemployed women with children .
The year has seen us assisting with a range of issues impacting negatively on newly arrived migrants and refugees . RSP clients were assisted with needs and issues arising from : -
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Housing needs – including homelessness , unsafe and unsuitable conditions involving overcrowding , violent and anti-social behavior and overall poor and unsanitary environments . To assist , we provided information about the public and private housing systems , helped with completion and submission for housing transfer requests , with lodging of complaints and referred to housing agencies .
Our work also involved undertaking advocacy with government departments and seeking assistance from local MPs on behalf of clients . �
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Centrelink Issues – Many RSP clients experience financial hardship including problems with Centrelink payments , Centrelink debts and lack of knowledge about the Centrelink system generally ( e . g . eligibility , type of benefits and access , application forms and processes , letters disclosing details of benefits and requests etc .). If not addressed , these issues add more financial stress and hardship to people already experiencing barriers and disadvantage . In response our RSP worker assisted with information about Centrelink and the benefits system , supported clients with enquiries and assisted with the completion of applications and with the lodgment enquiries and complaints . Immigration matters : Migration and visa concerns , overseas family sponsorship requests ( e . g . Humanitarian visas ), Temporary Protection visas issues , permanent residency and Australian Citizenship requests and understanding of immigration rights were all matters presented by clients of the RSP . Referrals to free immigration legal agencies ( e . g . Refugee Immigration Legal Centre ), support with the completion of visa , passports and Australian citizenship applications ( which were then referred back to legal agencies for checking ) formed part of the general support and assistance provided .