Multicultural Australia is the Queensland state provider of the Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) program, funded by the Department of Home Affairs.
Multicultural Australia’s UHM program exists to promote wellbeing, independence, belonging and quality of life for children and young people.
Who is an unaccompanied minor?
An unaccompanied minor is a child or young person under the age of eighteen who arrives on a humanitarian visa entering Australia without a parent or legal guardian. If the unaccompanied minor arrives alone or in the care of an unrelated adult, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs becomes their legal guardian.
Who is eligible for support?
Young people eligible for services under the UHM program are referred to Multicultural Australia by the Department of Home Affairs as the Queensland provider of this program.
Multicultural Australia is a Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) accredited out-of-home care provider for the UHM Program and is delegated custodial responsibility of young people in residential care.
What support is provided?
Culturally sensitive and trauma informed support is provided to children and young people in a manner that nurtures aspirations, promotes independent living skills, inspires active citizenship and supports connection with family, peers and communities.
Young people in the UHM program are supported in either a residential care setting or in a kinship arrangement with custodian or carer approved by the Department.
In addition to providing basic care needs, Multicultural Australia supports UHM clients to build and maintain positive relationships with each other and staff, to develop important life skills, to access education and training opportunities. And, equally importantly, to have fun.
What happens once an unaccompanied minor reaches 18?
Once an unaccompanied minor reaches the age of 18, these young adults graduate from the program, receiving support from Multicultural Australia to successfully transition into independent living.
Multicultural Australia is proud to have supported many unaccompanied minors since 2014 in collaboration with many other support services and key partners. The best interests of UHM young people remain paramount in all aspects of service delivery by the team of over 45 staff involved in the program.
Multicultural Australia’s UHM program exists to meets the care and welfare needs of UHM young people and create opportunities for children and young people to thrive.
For further information, please contact us via email.
