Many children arriving in the UK seeking sanctuary don’t have an adult to take care of them and are sometimes referred to as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC). This means they are under 18 years old and separated from both parents, and not in the care of a guardian.
All children need a safe and loving home, somewhere to thrive and where they feel able to enjoy their childhood. Whether they end up being granted permission to remain in the UK or not, we believe we should protect and help children while they are going through the asylum process.
The children we support tell us that arriving in the UK without an adult to rely on, is a frightening and confusing experience. Having a safe, caring place to call home can make a huge difference in helping them settle and thrive. That’s where specialist foster care can change their childhoods and change their lives for the better.
Fostering an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child
All foster care aims to provide a safe, secure and stable environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth family. Specialist foster care, like placements for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, involves foster carers receiving extra training and support. This helps them care for children and young people who may have experienced trauma or abuse, prior to being placed into foster care.
When foster carers want to support children and young people with these experiences, we want to make sure they are supported to do so.
Why do you need foster carers for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children?
The number of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children arriving in the UK has increased in recent years. Many unaccompanied children are from war-torn countries and may have witnessed persecution, violence, or death. Some are orphans or may have become separated from their families. They may have been trafficked, at risk of being trafficked, or exploited in other ways. They may speak some English, or none at all, and may struggle to communicate.
Foster carers with empathy and patience, who can support them to look after their health and wellbeing, help them access and engage in education and other learning opportunities, understand the importance of culture and identity, and create a secure, loving environment can help these children start to feel safe again.
Who can foster unaccompanied asylum-seeking children?
There’s a good chance you can. You need to meet the practical requirements to be a foster carer. You also need to be ready to understand how trauma can affect a young person, support them to learn to live in a new society and culture, willing to help them feel safe to practise their faith if they have one, and provide care with empathy and patience. If you think that sounds like you, you might be able to foster unaccompanied children.
What training and support would I receive?
We’ve been working with foster carers to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children for over 20 years. As well as the extensive training and support we offer all our foster carers we’ll offer you help with
- understanding and providing trauma-informed care
- the legal context and support
- registration with health and education
- accessing local religious and cultural community groups and associations
You’ll also have a dedicated Social Worker who is supported by an experienced local team and access to 24/7 advice.
On average, how long do these placements last?
This all depends on the child or young person’s circumstances. It might be an emergency or short-term placement, but those younger than 18 years may require a long-term foster family until they leave care.
Find out about different types of foster care placement.
Ready to start your journey to becoming a foster carer?
“We went on a course with Barnardo’s about Afghan food”
Michelle and Neil have been fostering children with us, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, for over 20 years. Learn about their experiences, the support they received and the difference they feel they’ve made.
How we’ll support you
As the UK’s most experienced fostering agency, we’ll be right by your, and your foster child’s, side. You’ll get a dedicated support worker, expert training, competitive financial support, and a lovely member of our team at the end of the phone on our round-the-clock helpline ready to help you, any time of day or night.
What it’s like becoming a foster carer?
Welcoming a child or young person into your life is an incredible thing to do - and a big decision to make. We'll make sure you have the information you need to work out if it's right for you and where you are in your life. People can feel intimidated by the process of becoming a foster carer. Don’t worry, we’ll be with you every step of the way.