He’s grateful for his new home, grateful for his family and grateful for the work he does in his community.

Peter fled the civil war in Sudan and spent years in a Kenyan refugee camp before following his brother Charles to Adelaide as a 19-year-old in 1999, to begin a new life.

He now works with the Department for Child Protection in the Multicultural Services Team, a small unit which focuses on parenting capacity among families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The team advocates for the children and helps ensure those coming into care remain connected to their culture, values and religion.

“We work with families to provide alternative pathways,” Peter said. “That way we can avoid children going into care.

“We provide cultural input that will help the department make its decisions.”

Peter initially worked with unaccompanied humanitarian minors, and has spent time working within Aboriginal communities both in the State’s far north and in the Northern Territory.

He has three children of his own, two girls aged 17 and 13, and a son, 10. He proudly boasts his middle daughter is a state netballer.

Unfortunately Charles died from lymphatic cancer in 2006, and Peter assumed care of his young daughter. She turned 21 during Refugee Week.

“Refugee Week is a very special time for me,” he said. “As a refugee, I reflect back on my struggles and give thanks to Australia for supporting me and people like me.

“Nobody chose to be a refugee. Many come here with just a suitcase, but in that suitcase is a dream.

“I am very, very happy here.”

Refugee Week is this year themed “Finding Freedom”, and raises awareness for issues affecting refugees – to live without the fear of war or persecution, while ensuring basic human rights and equality.

The week is a great opportunity for DCP staff to connect, engage and learn about the different cultures and communities relevant to children in touch with the child protection system.

More than 200 children in care come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Peter said being a refugee made him a better child protection worker.

He was separated from his parents at a very young age.

“When I was a young person, I was very vulnerable,” he said. “I relied on the goodwill of other people.

“Those experiences shaped my values and my work ethic.

“Everybody deserves an opportunity in life. Every child deserves a happy life.”

Peter said the department was working hard to provide more services, and understand the trauma faced by families, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The key to successful early interventions, he said, is information.

“Many people come with trauma,” he said.

“Sometimes they don’t really understand what we do. In time they do understand.

“And that’s quite rewarding.”