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Service providers' experiences and needs in working with refugees in the Geelong region: a qualitative study

journal contribution
posted on 2015-01-01, 00:00 authored by A Jewson, Greer Lamaro HaintzGreer Lamaro Haintz, Beth CrispBeth Crisp, Lisa HannaLisa Hanna, Ann TaketAnn Taket
Service providers in Geelong, one of the priority locations for the resettlement of refugees in regional Australia, were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the health and wellbeing needs of refugees, and the capacity of service providers in a regional area to meet these. In all, 22 interviews were conducted with health and human service professionals in a range of organisations offering refugee-specific services, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) services in general, and services to the wider community, including refugees. The findings revealed that a more coordinated approach would increase the effectiveness of existing services; however, the various needs of refugees were more than could be met by organisations in the region at current resource levels. More staff and interpreting services were required, as well as professional development for staff who have had limited experience in working with refugees. It should not be assumed that service needs for refugees resettled in regional Australia will be the same as those of refugees resettled in capital cities. Some services provided in Melbourne were not available in Geelong, and there were services not currently provided to refugees that may be critical in facilitating resettlement in regional and rural Australia.

History

Journal

Australian journal of primary health

Volume

21

Issue

2

Pagination

233 - 238

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Location

Melbourne, Vic.

ISSN

1448-7527

eISSN

1836-7399

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2015, CSIRO Publishing