Memorandum by the Family Care Society
WELFARE OF FORMER CHILD MIGRANTS (CM 171)
1. MISSION STATEMENT1.1
Family Care Society aims to enhance the dignity and well being
of disadvantaged children, young people and families through the
provision of a range of professional family care services. This
work is rooted in our acceptance of Christian values.1.2 Family
Care Society is registered by the department of Health and Social
Services as an adoption agency and undertakes work previously
carried out by the Down and Connor Adoption Society and the Sisters
of Nazareth Society in Derry. The Society has been re-organised
to enable us to offer a service to all sections of the community.1.3
Family Care Society operates from office bases in Derry and Belfast
and employs a team of seven specialist social workers. The practitioners
are supported by a Management Committee, an Adoption panel, foster
parents and a number of professional advisors.
2. CHILD MIGRATION
SCHEMES/NUMBERS
AND DESTINATIONS2.1
The first episode of child migration by Catholic child care agencies
was to Canada, from 1870 until 1930s.2.2 The second was the Australian
Child Migration Scheme which started in 1938 just before the onset
of the second World War, resumed in 1947 after the War and continued
until 1965. During this time Catholic agencies in England, Scotland,
Wales and Ireland worked within the legislation framework of the
British and Australian governments in nominating children for
migration to Australia.2.3 The total number of children sent under
the scheme was approximately 3,000 of whom 1,200 came from Catholic
children's homes and agencies. Two thirds of these went to Western
Australia, the remaining third were spread thinly over the other
states. Most of these children were sent under the auspices of
the Catholic Child Welfare Council acting on behalf of Diocesan
agencies and religious orders. While a total of 110 children
from Northern Ireland went to Australia via CCWC it is important
to note that a significant number of children from England, Scotland
and Wales had Irish parentage.
3. RATIONALE/IMPACT
ON CHILDREN3.1
Child migration was historically considered as providing these
children with opportunities not available in their country of
origin.3.2 We now recognise that the experience of being sent
to a country at the other side of the world, away from familiar
faces and environments with no knowledge of their birth families
and without the possibility of access to them, had a profoundly
adverse effect on many of these migrants.
4. CURRENT WORK
UNDERTAKEN ON
BEHALF OF
AND FOR
FORMER CHILD
MIGRANTS AND
THEIR FAMILIESWhilst
CCWC (acting as agent) sending children to Australia passed on
responsibility for them too the Australian church agencies, today
Family Care Society working in close liaison with CCWC accepts
a commitment to these former migrants and their birth families
through the provision of information and of professional social
work services.4.1 Family Care Society carries out research and
tracing to help locate family/relatives for former child migrants
in collaboration with CCWC and other agencies.4.2 Working on the
principle that re-unification visits work best with as much planning
and liaison as possible Family Care collaborate with CCWC, Christian
Brothers ex Residents Services Western Australia and other agencies
to help former child migrants as follows:
- To locate family/relatives in North/South Ireland
- To prepare family/relatives for the visit of
former child migrants and provide professional counselling as
required
- To confirm that family/relatives are willing
to receive them i.e. acknowledge as family/relatives offer friendship
during the visit
- To provide practical assistance with locating
moderately priced accommodation
- To provide practical support i.e. meet former
child migrants at airports and bring them to their accommodation
- To act as intermediary and provide post union
support to former child migrant and their birth families
- To arrange for them to visit their former residential
homes in Northern Ireland
- ie Nazareth Lodge Belfast
- ie Nazareth Lodge, Termonbacca, Derry which is
now a Retreat Centre under the aegis of the Carmelite Fathers
and provide transport and support as necessary
- To arrange a short stay at the Retreat Centre
if requested
- To arrange for former child migrants to visit
their Place of Birth, Church of Baptism and provide transport
as required.
5. CURRENT ISSUES5.1
Family Care Society together with other sending agencies is endeavouring
to promote professional standards and principles in working with
former child migrants.5.2 Lack of resources present a major constraint
in the provision of services to these former child migrants. Specifically
and in addition to the costs of a professional social work service,
there is the cost of Reunions, travel in Northern Ireland and
accommodation during their stay.
April 1998
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