Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors
Helping young new Australians move out into the world with new skills, confidence and independence
MercyCare’s Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors program provides services to young people 0-18 years of age who have arrived in Australia on a humanitarian visa without a parent or legal guardian. Our program provides a safe, home environment for young asylum seekers, enabling them to feel safe, build confidence and work towards living independently in Australia.
What do we offer?
MercyCare’s Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) program aims to provide holistic care, accommodation and settlement services to children and young people who may have torture and trauma backgrounds, language barriers, disabilities, mental health issues and educational needs.
We provide a safe, home environment that meets the unique developmental, cultural and care needs of young people seeking asylum. Our multilingual, multi-faith team applies a caring, therapeutic approach to care, connecting each young person to their culture and religion while encouraging them to engage with their new Australian community. We help young people develop:
- Independence – general life skills and Australian social customs and laws
- 24/7 support
- Dedicated case workers
- Care tailored to the needs of the individual
- Life-management skills, including budgeting, personal and mental wellbeing.
Who do we help?
Our Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors program is open to young people (0-18 years) that have been granted a visa under Australia’s offshore Humanitarian Programme.
All participants in our UHM program are referred to us by the Department of Home Affairs.
Acknowledgements
MercyCare’s UHM program is operated in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.
