Behind the Razor Wire
This presentation explores professional and ethical dilemas associated with providing social work (mental health) services to children and families in Immigration Detention Centres in Australia.
Themes that will be explored include:
The personal and professional effect of working in systems that are in contravention to basic human rights and where security imperatives override theraputic needs.
The importance of clear, independent professional support structures to assist in service provision. In particualr the use of a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency review forum to discuss casework, systemic and ethical issues. Exploring issues such as confidentially, the role of advocacy as government employees and whether our serives are theraputic.
The extent of personal/family trauma both historical and current of detainees and the limited interventions available, places enormous stess on the professional involved. Support processes and structures for professionals will be examined.
Working at the interace of a number of Government Acts such as the Migration Act, Family Law Act, Child Protection Act and Mental Health Act. These Acts have been subject to ongoing review and changes of interpretation are often without legal precedence or well established procedural processes.
The understanding of the interace between child protection and mental health systems within an environment where human rights are being violated (in an environment which is in contradicion of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child to which Australia is a signatory).
Exploration of the issues of the impromptu development of a mental health service in an area new to Australia that is evolving over time. Examining such dilemmas as the orientation of staff to the cultural and legal issues, including the safety of staff regarding the impact of exposure to trauma and the detention centre environment.
These issues will be explored using case studies of young people and their families experiencing mental health issues in detention.