Good practice in social care for refugees and asylum seekers
Background: Social care needs of asylum seekers and refugees
Much of the focus of this guide is necessarily on the social care needs of asylum seekers and refugees and how they can be met. However, it is important to appreciate the resilience and capacity for endurance shown by many people who have arrived in the UK seeking refuge, and the many positive contributions that they can bring to our society. It is important also to set a response to their needs in a context of understanding their human rights – first and foremost the right to be treated with respect and the rights set out in international conventions and treaties to which the UK is committed.
Children
For unaccompanied asylum-seeking children the primary needs are likely to be:
- basic needs for a place to live and for maintenance
- needs for security and belonging
- access to healthcare
- access to, and support with, education and career
- opportunities to develop social networks and to be active in the community
- legal advice and support with their asylum claim
- support with needs related to their refugee or asylum status
- support, and as appropriate, access to psychological interventions and social support in relation to experiences of forced migration, torture and/or trauma including bereavement
- cultural and linguistic sensitivity in the way in which they are received, and in which services are planned and delivered.
For refugee or asylum-seeking children in families, on the other hand, the primary needs are likely to be:
- accommodation and maintenance
- a secure place in the neighbourhood and community
- access to healthcare
- access to, and support with, their education
- support with needs related to the family’s refugee or asylum status
- support, and as appropriate, access to psychological interventions and social support in relation to experiences of forced migration, torture and/or trauma including bereavement
- access to help with other needs on the same basis as indigenous families – e.g. day care, help with disability or illness
- legal advice and support with the family’s asylum claim
- cultural and linguistic sensitivity in reception and provision of services
In addition, some children and young people may be caring for their parents or other family members and have needs related to this.
Adults
There is a picture of complex health and social care needs including:
- Health issues such as pregnancy, HIV and long term illnesses
- Emotional and mental health problems, with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder being extremely common. Experiences prior to arrival in this country, bereavement and harsh conditions experienced after arrival in the UK, including experiences of the asylum process and detention, are all contributory factors
- For disabled people, personal care needs, aids and adaptations and appropriate accommodation to enable independence
- Women face particular issues relating to sexual abuse and violence, domestic violence and childcare issues
- Older asylum seekers and refugees are more likely to be suffering from poor health, anxiety, hardship and despair.
