25 September 2007

Qian Xun Xue reunites with her Nana

Qian Xun Xue and her grandmother, Madame Liu, were reunited this afternoon to the visible delight of both.

Accompanied by the Victorian social workers who have been supporting her to date, Qian Xun returned to New Zealand yesterday cuddling the doll given to her by her Australian caregivers.

Child, Youth and Family Regional Director, Marion Heeney said today that Qian Xun had settled in well, but had been eagerly waiting for her Nana.

She said, " While Qian Xun has times where she has been quite distressed, she is generally is a very sunny, happy little girl. She has been chatting away and playing with her new toys but her focus has been on seeing her grandmother."

Heeney said that bringing the two together was pleasing for everybody concerned.

" Despite the love and affection shown by those caring for Qian Xun, for the past nine days everyone has been new to her. She needs and deserves to feel safe and secure with a family member that she knows well.

" There is clearly a great deal of love and caring between Qian Xun and her Nana."

Heeney stressed that it was important that the family had time to grieve together in private before making plans for the future.

" Lets not forget that while they are so very happy to be together, that these events are underpinned by the tragic, sudden loss of a mother; and of a daughter - we ask that that be respected.

" This has been an extremely traumatic time for Qian Xun and her family, it' s vital we are sensitive to the family' s grief.

" In the near future we will bring as many of the family members as possible together to discuss the future. Family will be at the heart of the planning for Qian Xun.

As a result, Heeney warned against speculating about what would happen next.

" It is not helpful to start guessing at an outcome until the family has had the opportunity to talk with us and start making decisions regarding Qian Xun' s care."

Heeney added that the issues discussed at the Family Group Conference would not be released to the public.

" This is a private, family matter. Child, Youth and Family should not and will not be compromising the privacy of Qian Xun' s family, social worker' s maintaining confidentiality is a mainstay of this process."

Gifts for Qian Xun, particularly toys, have been flooding in from the public.

Marion Heeney said, " Qian Xun has clearly touched the heart of everyone who has heard her story, it' s amazing and wonderful to see the generosity and caring of the community."

New Zealand social workers have gathered photo' s from Qian Xun' s home and begun compiling an album for her.

" Together with photo' s taken in Australia we want to give Qian Xun something to hold onto that gives her a sense of history, a sense of continuity. A photo album provides a special place to capture memories."

Heeney praised the other agencies involved in reuniting Madame Liu and Qian Xun.

" This simply couldn' t have happened without the commitment of several agencies to making this process as stress free and streamlined as possible. From immigration through to the police there has been a concerted effort to achieve the best outcome for Qian Xun.

" In particular the Victorian Department of Human Services has impressed us with their professionalism and their caring. They have stayed with Qian Xun throughout this process, totally focussed on ensuring she feels safe and secure until she could be with her grandmother."

-ENDS-

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