SSI announces NSW settlement services delivery partnership

The newly established consortium, the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP), comprises 22 organisations – SSI’s 11 member Migrant Resource Centres and multicultural services, as well as 10 organisations based around the state including rural areas.

SSI is a leading not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

In making today’s announcement, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said: “We’re excited to be leading a consortium of experts in settlement services. The partnership will deliver settlement services in agreed areas of NSW, under the Department of Social Services’ Settlement Services Program (SSP).

“The NSP represents a unique and innovative settlement services delivery model and provides an opportunity for local and regional community-based organisations with a long and proud history in service delivery to migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants to work collaboratively to address the aim and objectives of the SSP.”

The SSP delivers core settlement support for humanitarian entrants and migrants in their first five years in Australia.

“The NSW Settlement Partnership will be working with humanitarian entrants and eligible migrants to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“Our members and consortium partners will provide support for eligible clients to promote economic and personal wellbeing, independence and community connectedness. These services can also facilitate pathways to learning English, education and employment readiness.

“For refugee and humanitarian entrants, grants for settlement services build upon the foundation services provided by Humanitarian Settlement Services, by delivering services that assist eligible clients to become fully functioning members of society.  As a consequence, the grants promote social cohesion and productive diversity within the Australian community.

“We look forward to engaging with communities and organisations in our regions,” Ms Roumeliotis added.

SSI expects to announce the names of its consortium partners shortly, while services will commence from July 1.