About In My voice

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) can manifest differently in different migrant communities, highlighting the importance of culturally appropriate support services that recognise the diverse experiences of migrants and break down barriers to accessing support. In My Voice is a series of vignettes that tell the stories of DFV in different migrant communities in order to help start conversations amongst communities and service providers and inspire change. 

Each vignette tells a different story by Supporting U women leaders, painting a diverse picture of DFV in migrant and refugee communities. By amplifying the voices and experiences of survivors and women leaders, In My Voice helps to empower women survivors in diverse migrant communities. 

How we help

We develop strong relationships with female leaders within CALD communities from our Supporting U project who are trained as social responders to address issues of DFV.
We capture and share the leader’s valuable insights into DFV in their community through a series of vignettes and resources.
We work with communities and DFV service providers to widely share the In My Voice resources, to help start conversations and empower other DFV women victims/survivors.

We invite you to hear the stories on DFV from Africa, East Asia, Middle East, South-East Asia, South Asia, and Regional Australia. The videos are provided in English and other languages for your viewing. 

In My Voice vignettes

Showing 1 of 6 program resources

80% of women disclose their experience of DFV to family members, friends or community members. The Supporting U program engages women as trusted leaders, provides DFV and Learning circles, and trains the women leaders to become social responders.

Starting a conversation using the vignettes

After viewing the videos, we suggest using the prompts and questions in our In My Voice Training Package to start and guide discussions in communities and among DFV organisations 

The vignettes give us ice breakers and starting points for women who are not confident enough to start the conversation or those that need a softer way to deliver the message in a very clear manner” – Community Leader 

If you feel triggered by this material or would like advice around urgent DFV response or for DFV related counselling, you can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

If you would like general mental health or crisis support, you can call LIFELINE (13 11 14) 

If you would like to use this material for commercial purposes, please seek permission from SSI. 

Get in touch

NSW, QLD, VIC  

Should you have any comments, feedback, or questions about the vignettes, please contact us.

E: info@ssi.org.au

P: 02 8799 6700 

About MSW

We offer organisations an opportunity to book a wide range of highly skilled in-language and in-culture professionals. Our 140 plus Multicultural Support Officers build trust and rapport through lived experience and shared culture. This enables them to connect more meaningfully by offering enhanced levels of support across 35 different languages throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland. 

 

Multicultural Support Workforce brochure - NSW
Multicultural Support Workforce brochure – NSW

Our 140+ Multicultural Support Officers (MSOs) build trust and rapport through lived experience and shared culture. This enables them to connect more meaningfully by offering enhanced levels of support across 35 languages throughout New South Wales.

How we help

Improving culturally responsive practices
Encouraging autonomy for CALD communities
Leveraging our ability to build trust and rapport through lived experience to improve outcomes

Benefits to your organisation

Embracing diversity and building cultural responsiveness is integral to every business and organisation. Developing and promoting engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) empowers your participants by establishing their autonomy to help them thrive and realise their full potential. In addition, your business or organisation can tap into the knowledge and understanding derived from our long history of serving multicultural communities and established relationships. 

 

 

Support provided by Multicultural Support Officers

In-language and in-culture services for activities such as:

  • Supporting individuals and families in the CALD community: including settlement orientation, form filling, building digital literacy and connecting communities with services and activities
  • Engagement, transport and supervision of children and young people in care
  • Workshop facilitation or support
  • Co-designing services, programs, and projects
  • Community Engagement: supporting business to connect to community

 

 

Specialist services

Our Multicultural Workforce includes Multicultural Support Officers who have acquired additional skills developed through study and experience in Australia and overseas.  

Our wide range of specialised skills include: 

  • Administration and customer support
  • Research and data collection (NSW only)
  • Case management
  • Accredited interpreting and translation
  • Tech support for online events
  • Events support
  • Complex case support
  • Specialised children and young eople support (NSW Metro and Victoria Metro only)

 

 

How are our services offered?

There are several flexible ways that our Multicultural Support Officers can be engaged, including in-person and online, as well one-off or as an ongoing arrangement. They are based on an hourly rate, with a minimum engagement of three hours for in-person services and one hour for remote services. 

About Multicultural Gambling Harm Prevention

Our free, trusted service supports individuals from migrant, refugee, and multicultural backgrounds to overcome the negative effects of gambling.

Our counselling services consider the whole individual. We focus on behaviour change and use culturally sensitive planning to meet the person’s unique situation and needs, including culture, religion, language, and community.

If you or someone you know is having problems with gambling, we can help. Funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, our service is free, confidential and can assist anyone in Victoria experiencing difficulties with gambling.

How we help

We provide a safe environment for multicultural community members to tackle difficulties from gambling in a culturally sensitive way.
We address your concerns holistically through confidential 1:1 counselling and referral support.
We cater for all situations through online, mobile or in-person individual, group or family therapy.

For free, confidential support

call 1800 329 192.

Get in touch

If you or someone you know is experiencing negative effects from gambling, call our dedicated gambling support number on 1800 329 192 or email us at gamblingharmprevention@ssi.org.au

About SSI Allianz Scholarship Program

People with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds can face considerable barriers to participating in Australia’s education system. Supported by financial services company Allianz and other donors, the SSI Allianz Scholarship program aims to make things a little easier. 

 Through the program we provide one-off scholarships of up to $5000 to students preparing to undertake study or have their existing skills recognised in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria. 

How we help

We collaborate with financial services company Allianz, and other donors, to utilise their generous donations to award scholarships annually.
Based on a rigorous application process, we identify individuals in need of assistance.
We provide payments to support people’s education or career aspirations in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria.

 Applications will open and be available here from 11 Sept – Oct 9th 2023

Eligibility criteria

To be successful for support, applicants must:

  • Be from a refugee or asylum seeker background on the listed visa numbers: 117, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 449, 786, 790, 842, 851, 866. Applicants on bridging, SHEV 790 or TPV 785 are also eligible to apply but must consider individual circumstances regarding visa obligations and any potential impact to other sources of income.
  • Have been living in Australia for five years or less (except for eligible bridging, SHEV790, TPV785 visa holders who have no in country time limit).
  • Reside and study in NSW, QLD or VIC.
  • Meet eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship category (see application forms for more details).
  • Not have previously received an SSI Allianz scholarship.

*No more than one scholarship will be awarded in each immediate family in the same household per year.

*People with a disability that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. 

More about SSI Scholarships

What are the categories of scholarships?

The Educational categories available and the amounts awarded are as follows:
* Secondary Education – $1500
* Vocational Education and Training – $3000
* University – $5000
* Skills & Qualification Recognition – $5000

Why do the SSI Allianz Refugee Scholarships exist?

Persecution, war, political instability and displacement are all factors that lead individuals and families to leave their homes to seek permanent protection elsewhere, including Australia. Refugees who come to Australia face many challenges during settlement, such as financial hardship, dealing with experiences of torture and trauma, and family separation.
Australia is a nation built on immigration. We have a long history of providing safe asylum to refugees, many of whom have gone on to make great civil, social and economic contributions to Australian society.
SSI and Allianz aim to continue that tradition by providing targeted scholarships to those who are most in need and willing to overcome social and economic challenges.
In response to the various needs of refugee communities, SSI and Allianz offer scholarships to individuals across a range of education categories, including secondary, vocational education and training, university, and skills qualification and recognition.

When and where can I apply?

Applications for scholarships for the 2023 academic year are now CLOSED. Keep your eyes on this page for when our next round of applications will open and where to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions and Alternatives

Alternatives to SSI Allianz Scholarships
Alternatives to SSI Allianz Scholarships

A list of alternatives to SSI Allianz Refugee Scholarships including TAFE, VET, secondary school, tertiary, and more.

SSI Allianz Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions
SSI Allianz Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions

A detailed response to the most frequently asked questions about the SSI Allianz Refugee Education Scholarships.

Get in touch

NSW, QLD, VIC  

For more information, please contact our Scholarships team at scholarships@ssi.org.au 

Address:  2/158 Liverpool Road Ashfield NSW 2131 

P: 0402 797 827 

E: scholarships@ssi.org.au 

 

 

 

About Work + Stay

Australia’s regions are in dire need of workers in a range of sectors. At the same time, many people in cities – including newcomers – are looking for employment. SSI’s Work+Stay business aims to bring the two together, helping to solve challenges for regional employers and to build stronger communities. 

The program has a focus on right-fit employment and lifestyle solutions for newcomers considering relocation, and the right long-term workforce for employers in the regions. 

How we help

We work with employers to solve widespread issues such as skills shortages.
Staff search a talent pool of over 10 million profiles to find appropriate talent.
We support individuals moving to regional jobs to help them settle in and stay.

Get in touch

Find out more at www.workandstay.com.au 

 

About Multicultural Child and Family Program (MCFP)

When a child’s own family is either temporarily or permanently unable to care for them, foster care can help. Foster carers take children into their own homes, providing a safe, nurturing and caring environment.

Through our Multicultural Child and Family Program, SSI connects children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with foster carers who can help them maintain their cultural identity and sense of belonging. Types of care include respite, emergency, short-term and long-term.

 

How we help

We help match children with carers who can help them maintain a connection to their language, ethnic background and religion.
Our caseworkers provide ongoing support to our foster carers, including bilingual support if required, ongoing training, and financial support.
When it is safe for the child, our team helps to maintain or rebuild relationships between children, their biological parents, siblings, family and community.

Get in touch

SSI operates the Multicultural Child and Family Program in NSW and Victoria. In NSW, the program is active in parts of metropolitan Sydney as well as the Hunter region and Central Coast. In Victoria, it is operated in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

 

NSW 

P: 1800 960 976 or 02 8713 9200 

E: fostercare@ssi.org.au 

 

VIC

P: 1800 955 774 

E: vicfostercare@ssi.org.au 

Learn more

FAQs

What is SSI Multicultural Foster Care

SSI delivers a specialist out-of-home care service that provides a culturally appropriate model of foster care for children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds aged 0-18 years in NSW, and up to 21 years in Victoria.

Read more FAQs here

What are the main services that SSI provides under the Child and Family division?

SSI’s Multicultural Child and Family Program (MCFP) supports foster children, young people and parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), as well as providing programs for families with an early intervention focus.

Read more FAQs here

What qualities make a good foster carer?

The main qualities that make an effective foster carer are a genuine interest in children and young people and a focus on the child’s best interests. Other strong attributes include:

– empathy and good listening skills
– perseverance when things get tough
– flexibility and adaptability
– patience and humour
– stability and consistency in your personal and family life
– an ability to guide and discipline children without the use of physical punishment
– being able to look after yourself emotionally and staying well
– a willingness to work with other people in the child’s life such as birth parents and caseworkers
– a willingness to support the child to develop a sense of identity that includes their culture, language and religion, where appropriate.

Read more FAQs here

What is the main focus of SSI Foster Care?

SSI recruits foster carers and provides casework support for children from CALD backgrounds aged 0-18 years in NSW and 0-21 years in VIC.

While SSI has a strong focus on recruiting foster carers from CALD backgrounds, we consider interest from people of any background if they have a genuine desire to provide a safe and caring home for children.
SSI Multicultural Foster Care is staffed by bilingual case workers and managers with cross cultural and out-of-home care casework skills and knowledge.

They work closely with community organisations and community leaders, women’s groups, religious organisations and other relevant services, in the recruitment and support of foster carers.

Read more FAQs here

What area does SSI Foster Care cover?

In NSW we cover parts of metropolitan Sydney and the Hunter/Central Coast area and in Victoria we cover the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Read more FAQs here

What is a foster carer?

Foster carers care for children and young people who can’t live safely with their family. They provide safe and caring homes for these vulnerable children. By providing guidance, support and encouragement, foster carers make a real difference to the lives of children in care. Foster carers are trained, assessed and authorised to provide foster care.

Read more FAQs here

Why is it important to help children maintain a connection to their culture?

At SSI, we believe children in care who are supported to learn about and maintain a connection to their culture, religion and language have better outcomes as they grow up than those who are not supported in this way. These connections help children to understand where they have come from and to develop their sense of belonging and identity.

Helping children stay connected with their culture, language and religion can also help if and when children are returned to their birth parents.

Burke, S. and Paxman, M. 2008. Children and young people from non-English speaking backgrounds in out-of-home care in NSW, Centre for Parenting & Research Service System Development Division, NSW Department of Community Services.

Read more FAQs here

Who is eligible to become a foster carer with SSI?

Anyone can apply to become a foster carer as long as they meet the conditions set out below. Applicants must be:
– over 21 years of age
– an Australian citizen or permanent resident
– in good physical and emotional health without any medical condition that may affect their ability to care for a child or young person

SSI recognises that foster carers can have different personal and family circumstances. Foster carers can be:
– single, married or in a de facto relationship
– renting, buying or you may own your home
– working or not working
– a parent or someone who has a strong interest in helping children

Read more FAQs here

How do I apply to become a foster carer and what does it involve?

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer with SSI please contact us on:
For NSW
P: 1800 960 976 or 02 8713 9200
E: fostercare@ssi.org.au

For Victoria –
P: 1800 955 774
E: vicfostercare@ssi.org.au

We will arrange a time to come and speak with you and your family about foster care, what it involves, and how to apply.

You will be provided with written information about our service and an application form. Once you have gathered the information you need and you decide you want to proceed, the next step will be to submit the application form to us.

You will then be invited to participate in an assessment process that will help us determine whether you can become a foster carer with our service.

The process includes:
– a safety inspection of your home
– a request for medical and personal references
– checks for Working with Children and criminal records for all adult members of your household
– participation in 2-3 days’ training which can be spread over several weekends and/or weeknights
– assessment interviews with you and members of your household to determine your suitability to be authorised by our service as a foster care

Read more FAQs here

About Ignite® Small Business Start-Ups 

Small business creation is a powerful pathway to meaningful employment, providing financial stability, a sense of belonging, identity, and social and economic participation. Yet, people from marginalise communities often encounter social, economic, and institutional barriers that impede their ability to start and sustain a small business, despite their entrepreneurial spirit.

 

SSI’s social enterprise, Ignite® Small Business Start-Ups, facilitates small business creation and expansion for people from a refugee or migrant background, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from other communities who face barriers to entrepreneurship. With Ignite®’s help, fledgling entrepreneurs are empowered to unleash their potential and take greater control of their lives through business creation, to create meaningful employment and income for themselves, their families and potentially, over time, others.  

How we help

We empower participants to start a new business or expand an existing business.
Our Ignite facilitators provide free, confidential, and one-on-one tailored support to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the Australian business landscape.
We provide ongoing support at your pace as they conceptualise their business, begin operation, and as their business continues to grow.

Please note that entry into any Ignite program is dependent upon availability.  

Get in touch

NSW, VIC  

The Ignite® program operates in Greater Sydney, regional NSW and Victoria, Australia. 

SSI Ignite small business start-ups logo

 

Location:  Hut 6, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204 

Email: ignite@ssi.org.au 

Phone: 0421 723 305 

Visit Ignite’s website

About SRSS

The Federal Government’s Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program provides assistance to eligible asylum seekers, including accessing financial support, accommodation, healthcare, employment and education.

We deliver the SRSS program to eligible people seeking asylum living in the community on bridging visas. We are one of two national providers delivering services in NSW, ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria and Tasmania.

How we help

We engage recipients providing tailored support based on individual circumstances and needs, with the goal of building self-efficacy.
We may help with temporary and long-term accommodation solutions as well as income support.
Our case managers assist individuals to access mainstream and specialised services.

Get in touch

National Phone Number: 1800asylum which is 1800 279 586 or 02 9685 0100

Hours of Operation: 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday)

Program funded by Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

About Diversity Training

Australia is a vibrant, multicultural society, with one in four residents born overseas. Yet few businesses and organisations fully harness the enormous potential diversity offers.

Based on more than 20 years’ experience as a leading provider of services to multicultural communities, SSI’s Diversity Training transforms how people respond to diversity in ways that are thought-provoking, inspire curiosity, and build confidence.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive society where everyone is valued and can meaningfully participate and meet their potential. Through positive learning and sharing stories, we empower people to engage more effectively with people around them – no matter their background.

Diversity Training
Diversity Training

Developing a culturally responsive and inclusive workforce.

Diversity Training for Business
Diversity Training for Business

Cultural diversity training for small to large businesses.

Diversity Training for Government
Diversity Training for Government

Cultural diversity training for government.

Diversity Training for not-for-profit organisations
Diversity Training for not-for-profit organisations

Cultural diversity training for not-for-profit organisations.

How we help

We provide tailored diversity training courses either face-to-face or online.
We facilitate reflective conversations that build on the knowledge in the room, foster empathy and create connections across teams.
Our training helps organisations achieve diversity goals, recruit and retain diverse staff and make diversity into a competitive advantage.

Why choose us

 

  • We live and breathe diversity with a team that speaks over 100 languages
  • We know how to harness diversity because in any given year, SSI delivers culturally responsive services to 49,000+ people from mixed cultural and social backgrounds
  • We are a certified social enterprise and provide affordable training to organisations of all sizes

What others think

“The sessions were facilitated by a highly skilled trainer and included thought-provoking content, yet with highly practical applications for our employees. The training helped our teams develop greater empathy for others, and we now have a new appreciation for culturally responsive practices.”
Natasha Jordan, Manager, Customer Strategy, Customer & Partner Experience, Ausgrid
“Settlement Services International have provided our organisation with extremely rich and valuable learning.”
Tim Stevenson, Learning and Development Lead, ACSO

Workshops available

e-Learning Module: Introduction to culturally responsive practice

This e-module helps organisations support their workforce to grow the capabilities needed to respond to the unique needs of individuals and communities and provide equitable access to opportunities and services.

Learners will grow their awareness of the multicultural context in Australia, understand their responsibilities to uphold the rights of our diverse communities and explore key frameworks and concepts to build their understanding of what it means to work in culturally respectful and inclusive ways.

This e-module can be customised and uploaded to your organisation’s learning management system.

Fundamentals of culturally responsive practice

Culturally responsive practice training is a reflective process that will help participants gain an insight into their own organisational culture, behaviours, and practices to make their services more accessible and avoid creating service-related barriers.

We have customised versions of this workshop for different contexts, including disability, aged home care, refugee support services, child safety and out-of-home care, schools, early childhood and volunteer management. Our team can adjust this workshop to suit most contexts or sectors.

Working inclusively in a culturally diverse workplace

This cultural diversity training workshop assists people leading and working in diverse teams to work more effectively and inclusively.  There are many benefits of a diverse workforce but this can only be realised when we act to build inclusion, grow self-awareness and cultural humility.

Effective customer service in a multicultural context

Customer service staff are the first point of contact for customers and clients and have significant influence on the organisation’s reputation. This workshop assists customer service staff to communicate effectively, build trust and be responsive to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Engaging multicultural communities

A key reason why Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities do not access services at the same rate as the broader population is that they are often not aware of the services that exist or what their entitlements are. This workshop will look at community engagement as an approach to build capacity with a focus on minimising barriers experienced by CALD communities.

Working with language services

This workshop provides participants with essential skills to work effectively with interpreters to better engage and communicate with diverse communities.

Attracting and recruiting a diverse workforce

To attract and recruit culturally diverse workers, organisations must look beyond the traditional recruitment channels and consciously adopt targeted and flexible approaches as well as build supportive and inclusive workplaces.

Trauma informed service delivery

This workshop will assist non-clinical workers to respond to people in a trauma-informed way, minimising retraumatising people and providing services that support recovery.

Supporting positive cultural identity for foster carers and adoptive parents

Supporting positive cultural identity for children and young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in your care is easier said than done. This course aims to support carers to find more meaningful and practical ways to support a child’s development of a positive cultural identity.

Free 2-day multicultural DV-alert workshop with Lifeline

Free, nationally accredited training to help frontline workers recognise the signs of domestic and family violence, and know what to do next. Organised in partnership with Lifeline. Learn more here.

Inclusive mindset workshops for secondary students

SSI’s student workshops provide learning experiences that transform how students respond to diversity in ways that are fun, thought-provoking, inspire curiosity, and build confidence to engage with cultural diversity.

Our facilitators

Our facilitators are an experienced, passionate team who have lived experience working in culturally diverse workplaces, and are skilled in the design and delivery of transformative learning experiences that are culturally responsive and trauma-informed.

Our impact

400 +

workshops

delivered by SSI

6,000 +

people

trained

96 %

of participants

rated our workshops positively in the past two years

Get in touch

Get in contact to find out how your organisation can live and breathe diversity

 

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