Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children need foster carers who will make a difference in the lives of children in care. Often, these children have suffered significant trauma, travelling to the UK to escape the impact of war in their homelands. Sadly, these children have left families who loved them, paying others to help them leave to be safe. These children understand the importance of family life; their trauma is significant.
The Foster Care Co-Operative foster carers successfully provide safe and loving homes to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children. They recognised many barriers and challenges in caring for these children; however, with love and determination, these were overcome.
They have made a difference for the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children. This difference has resulted in many children who now live within communities and are welcomed and loved unconditionally.
Jo Killick is the Appointed Manager for the F.C.C. and she arranged that I could meet these foster carers. I wanted to learn about the joy these children bring to their lives…
Foster Care is the difference Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children need.
The F.C.C. are a Not-for-Profit, value-driven fostering agency. They currently have eight unaccompanied asylum-seeking children placed with foster carers in Wales. They said, ‘we first heard about UASC (Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children) when we had a sudden influx of information on the local news.’
The news reporter said they wanted to find homes for the children in Newport, Wales, where they lived. They also said,’ every Local Authority had to place UASC children in foster homes. However, some can’t do this because of the children’s ethnicity.’
Rosie has been a foster carer for the FCC for over 14 years. Rosie told me, ‘I love my job, and the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children are a joy.’
‘I have fostered children from all over the world, including Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Many of these children had complex needs, and they needed a lot of support. But those needs were not a barrier to me in caring for them.’
‘It is going to be the same for the Ukrainian children; as yet we don’t know what is happening. However, when we do, we’ll adapt to help them.’
The boys had a ‘Child Trafficking Guardian’ to support them.
‘I now foster two boys who came to us as Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children. When they first arrived, they were supported by Barnardo’s Child Trafficking Guardian, which my boys shared. The Child Trafficking Guardians speak with them about the journey they had to get to the UK.’
‘ Many Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children are quiet and withdrawn when they arrive. However, I have noticed how resilient these children are. Their resilience is significant, especially when you consider the trauma they may have experienced on often, very dangerous journeys.’
‘Independent Guardian Service for separated children, including separated children who are victims or potential victims of human trafficking. The Service is regional, working with PSNI, Trusts, Border Control & Legal Services. Guardians maintain regular contact with child and have a duty to act in the best interests of the child at all times, section 21 (6) Northern Ireland Human Trafficking Exploitation Act 2015’
Independent Guardian Service | Barnardo’s (barnardos.org.uk)
Many asylum-seeking children haven’t had poor parenting or lived with abuse.
Rosie said, ‘Unlike many children in foster care; Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children may not have had poor parenting or lived with abuse from within their family. Their trauma is from the persecution they have experienced in their homeland, being separated from the families they love. And, more importantly, those who love them back.’
‘It is important to remember that regardless of whether a child was trafficked or smuggled, their journeys are the same. They had to leave loving families and homes; their trauma is a completely different type of trauma.’
‘ Also, we must remember that the children’s understanding of family life is solid and is filled with love. They are gracious and grateful children who truly appreciate the help and love we give to them.’
‘We also knew there would be many challenges to fostering Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children. However, the other challenges became easier once we discovered and subsequently met them. The initial main challenge was overcoming language and cultural barriers. Thankfully, we found excellent translation services on our mobile phones, and we thank God for Google translate!‘
‘ Mealtimes was another challenge. I remember the first time we put our food on the table; it looked foreign to the children. However, we adapted, and soon the boys began to settle in, and, we started to learn about each other.’
Finding the best school was a challenge; we didn’t have many
Muslim children in our community.
‘The school the boys attend is a local Catholic school. When they first arrived, this school had no Muslim children, and the children were worried. Maybe the other children would be hostile to them? But, they needn’t worry because the children were fine; the children and the school are like a big family. Thankfully, the boys have settled in the school; they have friends and are happy there.’
‘All Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children have ESOL lessons and a foundation in English when they start school. Our boys learned English quite quickly and moved to mainstream lessons; however, they have 1:1 tuition in English twice a week.’
‘ Also, it is important to remember that these children have the same rights as any other foster children. Their support with the F.C.C. is outstanding; as all children do, the boys are learning at their own pace.’
‘One of my boys reads English well but can’t speak it. The other speaks English well; he is not good at reading. But, they’re both getting there at their own pace.’
The Myths and misconceptions about Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children.
‘ Also there are also myths and misconceptions about Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children. One myth is that Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children are mainly older boys. We must understand that boys aged 14 are sent away to prevent them from becoming ‘boy soldiers.’ Their families often pay to get them out of the country. They do this because, hopefully, they can continue their education.’
‘The families want the boys to get good jobs in a career they choose. Also, they will send money back home to help them as they live through the war.’
‘Sadly, many children had their mobiles taken, often by those paid to help them. It is heartbreaking that their families may never know if their children made it safely to the UK. I call them the ‘ Lost Boys.’
‘However, the reality is there are Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children of all ages who need foster care. Also, other foster children have a history that helps us to understand their experiences and needs. But we don’t have this.’
‘It is not unusual for the children to say today’s date when asked when their birthdays are. They don’t know, and they don’t understand; they tell you what they have been told to say.’
Foster carers receive a lot of training that includes ‘Child Trafficking’.
Rosie explained,’ foster carers receive a lot of training which includes ‘Child Trafficking, Smuggling and Sexual Exploitation of children. This training is essential because we must understand what the children have gone through to help them.’
‘Our boys are now thriving. They have adapted well and now have regular contact with their families again. Also, they have a Saturday job; they want to earn money and deliver leaflets for a fiver. They send the money back home; their families are proud of them.’
‘ If you are thinking about fostering Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children, contact the Charities and organisations who look after them. I have to say, in all honesty, that these children are lovely; they have enhanced our lives.
‘More importantly, these children integrate well within the community and our family and are not shy. These children are used to being a part of a family; they are really helpful. You never have to ask them to do something; the boys always say, ‘let me do it,’ or, ‘I’ll help you; they are a joy.’
Recruiting foster carers to meet all the children’s needs is vital.
Jo Killick said, ‘We need to be mindful of placing Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children with foster carers within communities to best support their ethnicity, faith and cultural needs. However, if there are barriers, they are not barriers to care. The young people Rosie and our foster carers support welcome their care, nurture and support. More importantly, they make children feel they are a part of a family again.’
‘We continue to work with the Red Cross, supporting children to locate and reconnect with families in their homeland.’
Are you the difference that Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children need?
This week is #refugee week, and although I hate hashtag labels, if they highlight the need for more foster carers to support children, I’ll roll with it.
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children have the same support and rights as all other foster children. However, unlike other foster children, their trauma isn’t from within the home. Their trauma is from a journey that no parent should ever have to send their child on.
These children need safe and loving homes, with foster carers to support them within the community in which they belong. These foster carers are the difference that Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children need.
Contact me on the form below if you want to chat about fostering Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children. There’s no cost or commitment, just honest advice and clarity to move forward on your fostering journey. And as a result, help children to heal from theirs. Can you foster?