SSI Presentation

Return projects for unaccompanied minors in Switzerland – taboo or an example of good practice?: 

Return projects for unaccompanied minors in Switzerland – taboo or an example of good practice? Christoph Braunschweig International Social Service, Swiss Foundation

Situation of unaccompanied minors today : 

Situation of unaccompanied minors today - Cantons are responsible for accomodation and care - Authorities try to shorten their asylum process - No return before the authorities have cleared the social net in the country of origin - Authorities wait for the forced return until the minors are 18 years old

Situation of unaccompanied minors today : 

Situation of unaccompanied minors today - Certitude of repatriation decision gives them few liberty and hardly future perspectives - Many minors disappear and are without protection

Best interest of the minor: 

Best interest of the minor Durable and appropriated solution corresponding to the needs of the minors should be found without delay after their entry If remaining in the host country is not possible, than a possible return must be cleared up Building up return projects would allow the minors to return with a perspective

Statement of Good Practice by SCEP: 

Statement of Good Practice by SCEP Careful assessement is made whether it is safe to return Careful assessement is made for the family situation Careful assessement is made of the access to food, housing, health care, education etc.

Unanswered Questions: 

Unanswered Questions How can minors be motivated to return voluntarily? How can minors be kept off disappearing? How can conditions be edited by the SCEP for a return concretely realized? Who is responsible for the assessement? How can the minor be helped to return with a sense of security and possibility for the future?

Cooperation: 

Cooperation National cooperation between immigration authorities and competent child welfare authorities, responsible social workers and NGO‘s International cooperation and coordination within Europe Cooperation with local NGO‘s in the countries of origin

Proposition of a Repatriation Project: 

Proposition of a Repatriation Project Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, but without any chance to obtain a resident permit Target group Micro-level Meso and Macro-level - Family’s reunification and save Launching of social and return professional structures of - Integration- and promoting admission and integration education for teenagers Target projects

Proposition of a Repatriation Project: 

Proposition of a Repatriation Project Clearing up of the situation Preparation of a future planning Writing of a social report Assisting for return and integration Evaluation and monitoring PHASES OF PROJECT

Phase 1: Situation‘s investigation of the minor: 

Phase 1: Situation‘s investigation of the minor Present situation in Switzerland Contact family members in the country of origin Parents‘ and relatives‘ instruction about the admission‘s situation of their child at place

Phase 2: Preparation of a planning for the minor‘s future: 

Phase 2: Preparation of a planning for the minor‘s future Establishing confidence with the parents Evaluation of other kinds of life‘s area Investigation about educational and socio-professional possibilities for reintegration

Phase 3: Social report to the attention of the asylum authorities: 

Phase 3: Social report to the attention of the asylum authorities Description of the family situation in the country of origin Concrete questions from the authorities will be answered Existing socio-professional possibilities of reintegration and possibilities of assistance will be shown Eventual dangers will be indicated

Phase 4: Assistance to the return and integration in the country of origin: 

Phase 4: Assistance to the return and integration in the country of origin Reception at airport Preparation and realisation of a social and professional integration project Stay in contact with minors and their social network

Phase 5: Evaluation - monitoring: 

Phase 5: Evaluation - monitoring Particularities about the minors Degree of integration Evaluation of existing educational and integrational offers Long-term success

Project‘s possible development: 

Project‘s possible development Preventive programms in the countries of origin Reintegrational programms – programms also for minors at place Reintegrational programms can also mean a possible motivational source for voluntary return