Responses to questions from The Saturday Paper in relation to Manus Island and Nauru Offshore Processing Centres

Answers provided in response to The Saturday Paper questions in relation to Manus Island and Nauru Offshore Processing Centres. A number of these questions have previously been asked and our responses to these can be found on the Humanitarian Mission Services or within the written responses below.

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1. Approximately how many employees of The Salvation Army work in offshore detention facilities throughout the period that The Salvation Army operated at these facilities?

Several hundred, the exact number is hard to quantify given the short period provided for a response.

However, approximately 350 staff worked for The Salvation Army when the end of the contract with Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) was announced.

2. Were the confidentiality agreements included in employee contracts a standard part of The Salvation Army employment contracts or where they included at the bequest of DIAC (later DIBP)?

The Salvation Army did not issue any confidentiality agreements.

The Confidentiality Deeds were signed between the Commonwealth of Australia and the individual employee only. The Salvation Army was not a party to these Deeds.

We have previously responded to these allegations (e.g. The Salvation Army was not silent)

3. Is The Salvation Army aware of sexual harassment claims made by employees against other service providers’ personnel?

Any claims made of that nature were thoroughly investigated by our on-island HR management team and in accordance with internal Salvation Army processes.

Further, we made a statement to a Senate Inquiry about staff claims and other information related to Manus Island and Nauru as below:

- The Salvation Army Opening Statement (Senate Inquiry into the Incident at the Manus Island Detention Centre)

- Submissions (Senate Inquiry into the Incident at the Manus Island Detention Centre)

4. Why was The Salvation Army’s contract to provide humanitarian support not renewed by the DIBP?

That is a matter for DIBP.

5. Is The Salvation Army aware that some employees claim not have had follow up calls from psych care after their contracts ended?

Could you please provide more detail about this as without specific information, we are not in a position to adequately respond to your question. Also, questions like this, referencing a third party provider, would need the advice of that organisation.

However, at the conclusion of our contract with DIBP, all employees received written advice confirming they have access to Salvation Army employee assistance (EAP) provided by an external provider – PsyCare.

All additional correspondence to employees included instructions referring them to EAP.

The Salvation Army paid for all counselling and support provided to staff. This occurred at the commencement of our involvement in offshore processing.

The Salvation Army had a range of initiatives in place to support staff on and off island. These included extensive pre-employment screening and psychological testing, pre-deployment briefings, and further screenings and psychological follows up on-island and post-deployment. In addition, PsyCare provided a follow up service to all employees at the conclusion of our contract.

6. Is The Salvation Army paying for or has it paid for counselling for former employees who worked in offshore detention centres? How many? When did this begin? Is it ongoing?

Yes. The Salvation Army paid for all counselling and support provided to staff. This was in place at the commencement of our involvement in offshore processing.

The Salvation Army had a range of initiatives in place to support staff. These included extensive pre-employment screening and psychological testing, pre-deployment briefings, and further screenings and psychological follows up on-island and post-deployment.

More specifically:

• Whilst on-island (in Manus Island and Nauru), staff had access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by an external clinical psychology firm. This was a unique initiative set up at the discretion of The Salvation Army at the commencement of our involvement in offshore processing. These psychologists were available solely to staff and would help them address any issues they raised;
• The on-island support was provided by external clinical psychologists and the programme included:- Complete on-island orientation of arriving personnel; weekly EAP check-in for each person with reference to the wellbeing plans; 4-6 toolbox talks available to personnel per week; individual support and supervision as required; critical incident management and behaviour support; E-check in kiosk monitoring and follow-up; and group reintegration briefing on-island immediately prior to finishing rotations;
• Staff and their families were entitled to receive a number of psychological support sessions post-deployment. They could also receive more support and help if requested;
• Staff also had access to dedicated help lines – Salvos Counselling and Salvos Care Line;
• The Salvation Army ran workshops that dealt with how to manage things like vicarious trauma, managing stress, understanding different cultures; and
• In addition, The Salvation Army had other support and briefings for staff