We provide direct services to unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), and can offer advice to other teams who are dealing with clients who have asylum/immigration issues.
Many unaccompanied asylum seeking children who arrive in the UK have experienced a lot of physical and mental hardship. Most have lost their homes, families, schools, and friends. Some children have witnessed horrific events, been trafficked into the country, and have spent months hiding and even been tortured.
We have a duty to look after these UASC under the Children Act 1989 (Sections 17, 20, 23, and 24) and the Leaving Care Act 2000. We support the young people to engage in learning, training, and employment. The team also assists them in achieving their full potential, integrating into the community, and making a smooth transition to independent living.
The support young asylum seekers receive from us varies according to individual needs and age of the children. Generally, children under age 16 are placed in foster care, 16-18 year olds live in supported housing or semi-independent living situations, and 18 – 21 year olds (up to age 24 if in full time education) live independently (in shared accommodation).
Central to the team’s service is providing accommodation, subsistence, and education incentive money to those qualified and under our care. Our duties continue until the young person reaches the age of 21, unless they are in full time education, and then may be supported until age 24 dependent upon their agreed plan. Asylum and immigration laws change frequently, so the support offered can change with new legislation.
Criteria for support
To be eligible for our services, the young person needs to:
- Be an unaccompanied asylum seeker, meaning they have applied for asylum with the Home Office (Croydon)
- Be under the age of 18 (an age assessment may need to be completed by a social worker)
- Have no family in the UK
- Have no friends to support them in the UK
- Have no connection to any other council
After assessment, if the young person is not eligible for services, they will be referred to an appropriate agency or organization (i.e. NASS – National Asylum Support Service).
Asylum team role with other teams
We frequently work in conjunction with other teams within social services. We can:
- Serve in an advisory capacity on a case-by-case basis for teams with asylum seeking clients (i.e. community care, A&A and locality teams)
- Complete checks to determine immigration status
We do NOT undertake Section 47/Child Protection Investigations, but rather work in partnership with A&A or locality teams should the need arise.
Clients
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) that we serve come primarily from countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Most of our clients are between the ages of 16 and 21, though we have some that are younger and some that are older. Clients that are younger than 16 are in foster care, and clients that are older than 21 must be in full time higher education.
Types of assessments
While being assessed for or receiving services, social workers and personal advisors may undertake the following assessments:
- Age Assessment
- Child in Need/Section 17/Initial Assessment
- Core Assessment
- Pathway Plan
- PEP
- Human Rights Assessment
While in care
We have a responsibility to support UASC who are legally in the UK. The team provides these young people with accommodation, subsistence, and education incentive money if they are in school or college.
Accommodation:
Based on a needs assessment, accommodation for looked after UASC can be:
- With foster carers
- Supported lodgings
- Semi-independent
- Independent shared accommodations
Subsistence
Financial support is given to all young people until they are eligible to apply for benefits. If the young person attends full time education, they qualify for education incentive money. The team can also provide an educational grant for those in university education. The Asylum Team is supported by grants from the Home Office, Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
Education
We support and encourage young asylum seekers to enrol in schools and colleges. They often start in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and then progress to academic and practical courses for their future employability. Support classes are arranged for some young people who have difficulties understanding English.
Leaving care
Under the Children Act 1989 and the Leaving Care Act 2000, councils have a duty to adequately prepare young people to live independently. We provide leading support, advice and assistance to young people until the age of 21, or if in university, until age 24.
The support given to young people turning 18 years old depends on whether they have been supported under Section 17 or Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 and on their immigration status.
Services for post 18 clients include:
- Personal Advisor to provide guidance and support
- Pathway Plan to help young person plan future
- Assistance with applying for support from NASS or benefit agencies
Immigration status
Social workers and personal advisors also work with UASC around their immigration status. Young people can have the following immigration statuses:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)/ Humanitarian Protection (HP)
- Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR)
- Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR)
- Asylum Pending (waiting for an answer from Home Office)
- Out of Time applicants (turned in application too late to file an asylum claim)
- Exhausted all appeals (no longer eligible for support and likely to be deported)
Asylum team good practices
Our key principle is to listen to and take account of the views of young people to ensure that their needs and our statutory duties are met. We do this by:
1. Talking to clients and actively involving them
•ASSYGRE is a young people’s forum that meets regularly to look at ways to improve our services and provide social and educational opportunities for our young people. All young people are encouraged to participate and can speak to their social worker or personal advisor for more information. (ASSYGRE comes from “asylum” and “sygre”, the French word for asylum.)
2. Working with other teams and organizations, such as the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture, The Children’s Advocacy Services, Home Office, Refugee Council, Refugee Arrivals Project, Law Centres, health and education services, colleges and schools, etc.
3. Visiting clients regularly in their homes and accompanying them to immigration hearings, courts, hospitals, police stations, etc.
4. Attending review meetings, child protection conferences, PEP meetings, parents' evenings, etc.
5. Arranging different activities for young people during college and school holidays, such as trips to museums, historical places, and other leisure areas
6. Celebrating Refugee Week every year
7. Monitoring the progress and development of young people regularly
8. Helping young people to realize their potential and motivate them to succeed in life
9. Identify barriers to learning, employment and integration and intervening before it’s too late
10. Completing Pathway Plans from the age of 16 and reviewing every 6 months until age 21
11. Helping, supporting, and assisting the smooth transition of young people to independent living
12. Identifying the needs of young people and acting accordingly
