Responding to the challenges and needs of refugee and asylum-seeking children

Young refugee girl holding back hair wearing pink t-shirt with rabbit face

This page serves as a resource centre tailored to the needs and unique experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking children settling in the UK. It addresses challenges related to immigration status; the safeguarding of human rights and welfare; access to housing, healthcare (including mental health and wellbeing support), and social care; education, training and employment opportunities; as well as language barriers to integration and other challenges to social inclusion.

Managing these challenges is essential to support refugee and asylum-seeking children and their families as they rebuild their lives. Ensuring secure immigration status and the protection of human rights provides stability and a sense of safety. Access to adequate housing, healthcare, and mental health support helps individuals maintain wellbeing and participate more fully in daily life. Social care support reduces vulnerability, while access to education, training, and employment opportunities allows individuals to develop skills and enables independence.

Overcoming language barriers further enhances communication and social interaction, making it easier to engage with services and local communities. Collectively, addressing these challenges foster inclusion, independence, and active participation in society, which are key components of effective social integration.

Follow the links below to access the resources:

    • After you get refugee status. Advice & information. Citizen Advice.

      Useful advice and information for young refugees, care leavers, parents, and carers about the support available after receiving refugee status, including housing, benefits, education, and settling in the UK.

    • Asylum decision-making guidance (asylum instructions). Collection. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government.

      Guidance on how asylum decisions are made, including specific information relating to asylum-seeking adults, children, young people, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, safeguarding, and age assessment processes.

    • Asylum Intake Unit. Asylum screening. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government.

      Information about the UK asylum screening process, including guidance on safeguarding and support for asylum-seeking adults, children, young people, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children entering the asylum system.

    • Best Interest Procedure Guidelines: BIP Toolbox.

      Best Interests Procedure Guidelines: Assessing and determining the best interests of the child.  BIP Toolbox. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR (2021). 

      The Best Interests Procedure (BIP) Toolbox provides practical guidance for protecting vulnerable children, especially refugee and separated children. Using the Best Interests Assessment (BIA) for routine decisions and the more formal Best Interests Determination (BID) for complex or high-risk cases, professionals identify children at risk, assess their needs and safety, create and implement care plans, review progress, and close cases when risks are resolved.

    • Children asylum instructions: A collection. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government. 

      A collection of asylum policy guidance for asylum applications involving children and young people. It includes guidance on safeguarding, age assessments, interviewing children, family tracing, welfare support, and processing claims for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and families.

    • Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC)

      The Coram Children’s Legal Centre is a UK-based organisation that provides free legal advice and information to children and young people. In some cases, it also supports vulnerable young people such as care leavers up to the age of 25, including refugees and migrants. Through its Migrant Children’s Project, it works to ensure that these young people receive appropriate legal protection and access to essential services.

      Its support includes expert legal guidance on immigration and asylum matters as well as training and resources for professionals working with young migrants. In addition, the centre contributes to policy development and research to improve the treatment and rights of refugee children within the UK system.

    • Coramvoice

      Coram Voice is a UK-based children’s rights organisation that advocates for children and vulnerable young people, including care leavers up to the age of 25 and those in need of state support. The organisation ensures that these individuals have a voice in decisions affecting their lives, including through advocacy services, complaints support, and the provision of independent visitor schemes.

      Coram Voice also runs an Advocacy Helpline, which offers confidential advice and guidance, helps young people understand their rights, and supports them to access an independent advocate when they need one.

    • Just for Kids Law

      Just for Kids Law is a UK-based charity that provides legal advice, representation, advocacy, and support to children and young people up to the age of 25. While the charity operates nationally, its direct services are primarily delivered in London and the surrounding areas. 

      The organisation offers support across matters including education, housing, and immigration, and works in partnership with organisations such as Coram Children’s Legal Centre to provide specialist legal advice and representation.

    • JustRight Scotland (JRS)

      JustRight Scotland is a Scottish charity that provides specialist legal advice, representation, advocacy, and rights-based support for refugees, migrants, and people seeking asylum, including vulnerable children, young people, and families in Scotland. 

      The charity offers dedicated support to unaccompanied children and other vulnerable young people navigating the UK immigration and asylum system, including asylum claims, family reunification, and human rights-related matters.

      In addition to providing direct legal representation, JustRight Scotland campaigns and advises on policy and law reform to protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and vulnerable young people affected by displacement.

    • Kids in Need of Defense (KIND UK)

      Kids in Need of Defense (KIND UK)  is an organisation that supports refugee and migrant children by providing free legal advice and representation to help them secure their rights and remain safely in the UK.

      Working with a network of lawyers and partner organisations, it assists with immigration matters such as asylum claims, leave to remain, and citizenship applications. Through this support, KIND UK helps protect children from deportation, exploitation, and uncertainty, enabling them to access education, essential services, and build more stable futures.

    • Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit (MiCLU) 

      The Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit is a specialist legal and policy hub based at Islington Law Centre in North London. It supports refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant children in the UK by providing free specialist legal advice and representation, ensuring they are protected and treated fairly in asylum and immigration processes.

      The organisation also challenges unjust laws and policies, produces child-friendly guides, publications, and multilingual resources to help young people understand their rights. The unit works closely with community organisations, including the Shpresa Programme, through initiatives such as the Breaking the Chains project, which supports Albanian asylum-seeking children through legal advice, advocacy, and empowerment activities.

    • Protecting refugees in the UK. Guidance. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, UK.

      UNHCR, UK provides guidance on the rights and protection of refugees and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. The document outlines international refugee protection principles, the UK asylum system, legal safeguards, and the role of UNHCR in supporting individuals seeking safety from persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses.

    • The Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC)

      The Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC)  is a coalition of NGOs that works together to promote and protect the rights of refugee and migrant children, ensuring their needs are met in line with UK and international standards. Rather than providing direct services, RMCC focuses on advocacy and influencing government policy, campaigning to ensure that children’s rights, welfare, and best interests are prioritised in immigration and asylum systems. Through research, collaboration, and public awareness, RMCC aims to create a fairer and more protective environment for vulnerable young people.

    • Right to Remain - Toolkit 

      Right to Remain is a UK-based organisation that provides free, practical guidance and resources about the immigration and asylum system. It helps refugees and asylum seekers, including children and young people, understand their legal rights, navigate the asylum process, and access essential support services.

      Right to Remain produces the Toolkit, which is a free, step-by-step guide to the UK immigration and asylum system, designed to help refugee and asylum-seeking adults and children understand the legal process. It provides expert-informed information from those who have experience of the system, including lawyers, community groups, and people who have gone through it themselves. The toolkit covers different stages of the asylum and immigration process, explaining rights, options, and practical steps adults and children or those supporting them can take to navigate the system effectively. 

      The Right to Remain Toolkit website is regularly updated. Readers can stay informed about major changes to the asylum and immigration system and updates to the guide by visiting the Legal Updates website.

      Additional information about the asylum and immigration system is available through legal information videos on the organisation’s YouTube Channel and in a number of languages: 

    • After you get refugee status. Advice & information. Citizen Advice.

      Useful advice and information for young refugees, care leavers, parents, and carers about the support available after receiving refugee status, including housing, benefits, education, and settling in the UK.

    • Asylum helplines. Advice & support. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government. 

      Help is available by phone for asylum applicants and refugees who need advice about the asylum process, housing issues, financial support, adapting to life in the UK, or integrating into their local community, including accessing services, education, employment, and everyday life.

    • Asylum support: Overview & guidance. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government. 

      Asylum seekers and their family may be entitled to support including housing, financial assistance, free state school and health care from the National Health Service (NHS) to help them while waiting to find out if they will be given asylum. 

    • Asylum support: UK rights and expectations. Guidance. Home Office, UK Government. 

      Guidance explaining what people seeking asylum can expect while receiving asylum support in the UK. It covers accommodation, financial support, healthcare, education, reporting responsibilities, safeguarding, and behaviour expectations, helping adults, families, children and young people understand services and support available while settling into life in the UK.

    • Barnardo’s

      Barnardo’s supports some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, including those who are abused, neglected, or seeking asylum, by delivering holistic, practical, protective, and care-focused services.

      The charity helps refugee and asylum-seeking children access safe, stable accommodation, including supported housing and foster placements, ensuring both immediate protection and long-term stability. It also provides emotional and mental health support to help children cope with trauma, displacement, and loss, as well as practical assistance such as access to healthcare, education, and essential items like food.

      In addition, Barnardo’s supports children’s education and integration by helping them attend school, learn English, and adapt to life in the UK. Its work includes advocacy and safeguarding to protect children’s rights and ensure they receive appropriate care, as well as parenting support and fostering and adoption services to secure stable, long-term family environments.

      Barnardo’s, through its National Counter Trafficking Centre (NCTC), provides specialised support for trafficked children across England and Wales. This support is delivered via its Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service (ICTGS), which offers advocacy, guidance, and emotional support, helping children navigate complex systems and recover from trauma and exploitation.

    • British Red Cross

      The British Red Cross is the UK's largest independent provider of support for refugees and people seeking asylum, including children. This includes emergency help, one-to-one casework, one-off support, and signposting about where to get help.  

      The organisation also provides other services, including family reunion, tracing missing family, sexual and gender based-violence support, anti-trafficking support and advice and many more.

      In addition, British Red Cross offers psychosocial support through its mental health team, including free mental health resources and information on its website. 

      Access British Red Cross services available in specific regions across the UK.

    • Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery. Statutory guidance. Department of Education. UK Government.

      This is a statutory guidance that outlines the responsibilities of local authorities and other agencies in safeguarding and supporting unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery. The guidance emphasises legal frameworks, best practices for care and accommodation, and the importance of multi-agency cooperation to ensure these vulnerable children's rights and well-being.

    • Childline

      Childline, operated by the NSPCC, is a free and confidential helpline in the UK, available 24/7 to support children and young people under the age of 19. It provides dedicated support for refugee children, recognising the unique challenges they face while seeking asylum or resettling after displacement. 

      Childline offers tailored resources and services to help them feel safe, understood, and connected. These include emotional and practical support, as well as tools to help refugee children manage their emotions and adapt to new environments, such as the Mood Journal, Art Box, coping strategies, and help with school integration. 

      Additionally, Childline ensures that refugee children are aware of their rights and the support available to them, including legal assistance, safety and protection, and education.

    • Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

      The Child Poverty Action Group is a national charity working to end poverty among children, young people, and families in the UK. CPAG supports refugee children and families through provision of information and resources, legal assistance, and advocacy and policy reform efforts aimed at improving their access to financial support and reducing poverty. 

      In addition, CPAG in Scotland Advice Line provides guidance to advisers on welfare rights issues affecting refugees.

    • The Children’s Commissioner for England

      The Children’s Commissioner is an independent office that champions the rights of all children, including refugees and asylum seekers. It works to ensure that the voices of refugee children are heard in government decisions and public policy, highlighting their needs in areas such as asylum, education, health, and safeguarding. 

      The office monitors how policies and services affect refugee children, publishes reports to identify gaps or challenges, and advocates for changes to improve protection, access to services, and family reunification processes. In addition, it provides guidance and resources to schools, local authorities, and organisations working with refugee children, helping to ensure that their rights, safety, and wellbeing are upheld.

    • Children & Families Across Borders (CFAB)

      CFAB is a UK-based charity and a member of the International Social Service (ISS), an international network of social workers, lawyers, child protection professionals, and partner organisations. The charity supports children and families across borders, with a focus on child protection and family reunification.

      CFAB works to ensure that children who have been separated from their families due to divorce, forced migration, asylum seeking, or trafficking receive the care and protection they need.

    • The Children's Society

      The Children’s Society is a UK-based charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people, including refugees and asylum seekers facing serious challenges such as abuse, exploitation, and neglect. The organisation provides direct support to vulnerable individuals and campaigns for policy changes to protect children’s rights. 

      In addition, the charity works closely with communities to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for young people, including young refugees and migrants. It supports young refugees and migrants who lack a safety net by providing assistance to those at risk of or experiencing exploitation (such as grooming by criminal groups), offering mental health support for those struggling with issues like anxiety and depression, and providing shelter and safe housing for those who have run away or are at risk.

    • Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) UK

      ECPAT UK is the national member of ECPAT International, a global network of children's rights organisations working to end the sexual exploitation of children and young people. 

      They work to protect children from trafficking, transnational exploitation, and modern slavery. It operates throughout the UK to uphold children’s rights so that they live a life free from abuse and exploitation. 

      ECPAT UK works across several areas, including advocacy and campaigning, youth work, training, research, awareness-raising, policy development, and legal reform. 

      Their Training and Practice Development Programme provides specialist, practical training, information and capacity building on child protection, safeguarding and child trafficking and exploitation for a wide range of professionals working with at-risk children

      In addition, the ECPAT Youth Programme supports young people aged 15-25 through unlimited one-to-one mentoring sessions, gender-specific peer mentoring groups, individual therapeutic interventions, and a mentoring group for young parents, among other support services. As part of its wider Youth Programme, ECPAT UK has also developed peer-support groups, such as the Trafficked Girls and Young Women’s Group.

    • Glasgow Child Protection Committee. Information and resources. GCPC, Scotland. 

      Glasgow Child Protection Committee is a multi-agency partnership responsible for protecting children and young people in the city of Glasgow. It brings together professionals from social work, health, police, education, and other services to coordinate local child protection policy and practice in line with Scottish legislation and national guidance.

      The organisation’s website provides information, guidance, and resources for children, families, and professionals. This includes advice on recognising and responding to concerns about abuse or neglect, local safeguarding procedures, policy documents, training materials, and support services aimed at promoting the safety and welfare of children.

    • Guardianship Scotland-National Child Trafficking Support Service

      Guardianship Scotland-National Child Trafficking Support Service is a specialist statutory service that provides Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) to all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, child victims of trafficking, and those vulnerable to trafficking who are under 18 and arrive in Scotland.

      The service is delivered in partnership by Aberlour Children’s Charity and The Scottish Refugee Council on behalf of the Scottish Government. Each young person is assigned a Guardian who offers practical and emotional support, helps them navigate complex systems such as asylum, welfare, health, and education, and ensures that their rights and best interests are upheld.

      The service works in collaboration with professionals including social workers, legal representatives, and local authorities, and also offers additional wellbeing and participation programmes to support recovery, integration, and the active involvement of young people in decisions affecting their lives.

    • The Helen Bamber Foundation

      The Helen Bamber Foundation is a UK-based human rights charity that supports child and adult survivors of trafficking, torture, and other forms of extreme trauma. Its core mission centres on protecting survivors of torture, trafficking, conflict, and exploitation, while advocating for their rights and ensuring their safety and dignity.

      A key aspect of the foundation’s work is its therapeutic, trauma-informed approach. It provides specialised psychological support, including counselling and mental health services, to help survivors recover from the effects of violence, war, and displacement. These therapeutic programmes are designed to promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and long-term recovery.

      In addition to mental health support, the foundation offers holistic assistance by helping service users access legal representation, education, safe housing, and essential welfare services. This integrated approach ensures that their immediate needs are met while also supporting their long-term integration and stability.

    • Legal framework, social welfare provision, and housing for asylum seekers in the UK. Home Office, UK Government.

      In the UK, housing for asylum seekers, including children, is funded by the government and managed by the Home Office which contracts private companies to manage and maintain properties. The UK government has a legal duty to provide asylum support, including accommodation under several Acts of Parliament, financial assistance, free state school and health care from the National Health Service (NHS) to help them while waiting to find out if they will be given asylum.

      The Children Act 1989 requires local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including providing accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children as children in care. In practice, local authorities are responsible for delivering this care, arranging suitable housing, assigning social workers, and creating care plans to ensure the children’s safety and wellbeing.

      The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires the government to provide housing and basic financial support to asylum-seeking families who cannot support themselves. 

      The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 ensures that young people who have been in care continue to receive support with accommodation as they move into adulthood.

      Alongside this, organisations such as Migrant Help play a support and advisory role, helping families and children apply for housing, understand their entitlements, and resolve issues with accommodation. In certain cases, such as victims of slavery and human trafficking, Migrant Help may also directly provide safe, specialist accommodation and tailored support.

    • Local Government Association, LGA. Resources and support: Refugees, asylum seekers & unaccompanied children.

      Local Government Association provides practical information and support for local authorities working with displaced people. It outlines responsibilities and best practices for supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, including access to housing, safeguarding, education, health services, and multi-agency coordination.

    • Migrant Help-Youth Welfare Project

      Migrant Help is a welfare and advisory charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable children including victims of modern slavery, human trafficking, and other vulnerable migrants. 

      Migrant Help runs the Youth Welfare Project in collaboration with a number of specialist organisations and charities across the UK. Migrant Help coordinates and supports the Youth Welfare Project, overseeing delivery, guiding Youth Welfare Officers, facilitating referrals, and ensuring consistent, trauma-informed support for asylum-seeking young people.

      The project provides a trauma-informed approach, supporting refugee and asylum-seeking young people aged 18–25 to navigate the asylum process and address mental health challenges. Youth Welfare Officers offer guidance, tailored activities, and opportunities, helping young people access education, healthcare, community networks, and essential social and emotional support. 

      The Youth Welfare Project is delivered locally through the following partner organisations:

    • Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation. Guidelines. Home Office, Department for Education, & Department of Health & Social Care. UK Government. 

      The document provides guidance for professionals across health, education, and social services on identifying, preventing, and responding to female genital mutilation (FGM). It explains legal duties, safeguarding responsibilities, risk indicators, reporting procedures, and coordinated multi-agency approaches to protect individuals at risk and support affected women and girls.

    • National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

      NSPCC offers support to children and their families through a range of services aimed at helping children recover from abuse, neglect, or other difficult experiences. 

      The organisation provides a range of mental health support services for children and young people across the UK either directly or through collaborative initiatives aimed at helping children cope with emotional distress, trauma, and mental health challenges. 

      Through its Childline service, NSPCC offers free counselling sessions, providing a safe space for young people to discuss issues that concern them.

      In partnership with Project MAMA (Maternity Action for Migrants and Asylum Seekers), a Bristol-based charity, NSPCC has adapted its "Look, Say, Sing, Play" resources to better serve refugee and displaced families. These resources are designed to support early childhood development and bonding between parents and children and include simple illustrations and descriptions to accommodate families who may face language barriers. 

      In addition, NSPCC is part of a coalition of charities, including Barnardo’s, Save the Children, and The Refugee Council, advocating for a fairer asylum system for refugee children. NSPCC also provides training and resources to professionals working with refugee and displaced families.

    • No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) - Support for migrant families in England: A quick assessment tool.

      The Tool was developed by the No Recourse to Public Funds Network and the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society at the University of Oxford. It helps determine whether someone without access to public funds may still be eligible for local authority support, such as social services, housing assistance, or immigration advice. 

    • NSPCC’s Learning

      NSPCC Learning website offers a comprehensive range of services and resources designed to assist professionals and organisations in safeguarding children including refugee children and families and promoting their welfare.

      These resources include guidance  on key topics, training courses such as E-learning modules and face-to -face and virtual workshops, and direct services to support 

    • Protecting refugees in the UK. Guidance. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, UK. 

      UNHCR, UK provides guidance on the rights and protection of refugees and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. The document outlines international refugee protection principles, the UK asylum system, legal safeguards, and the role of UNHCR in supporting individuals seeking safety from persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses.

    • Refugee Council

      The Refugee Council provides nationwide support for refugee and asylum-seeking children and adults including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). These include mental health support, age assessments, education access, helping them rebuild their lives in the UK.

      Their Help for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum page offers information and support across categories such as advice, housing, education, children, and young people. Services and projects can be searched by keyword, location, or type of service.

      The organisation offers comprehensive mental health support to refugees and asylum seekers across the UK through its various services and projects, including one-to-one counselling, therapeutic support for unaccompanied children and families, psychoeducation workshops and many more. 

      In addition, they offer the Refugees into Jobs service that provides advice on employment for refugees across the UK. 

    • Refugee Council’s Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Support Service (IUSS)

      The Refugee Council’s - IUSS supports children under 18 seeking asylum, who have arrived in the UK without a parent or guardian. They provide advice on seeking asylum and guidance on the child protection systems in the UK.

      Their advisers work with professionals to provide guidance on supporting children in these situations. They assist children by advising them on how to navigate the system, including how to claim asylum and access legal support, as well as accompanying them to asylum interviews, immigration tribunals, and appeal hearings.

      IUSS also provides advice and support in accessing housing and appropriate placements (such as foster care, residential children’s homes, supported housing, and semi-independent living), education (including schools and colleges), and help with locating their families.

    • Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM: Guidance. Department of Health & Social Care. UK Government.

      This document provides guidance for health and care professionals on identifying and responding to risks of female genital mutilation (FGM). It outlines safeguarding responsibilities, clinical indicators of FGM, reporting requirements, and procedures for offering protection, support, and referral to appropriate specialist services for women and girls at risk or affected.

    • Safe Passage International

      Safe Passage is a charity that supports refugee children, particularly unaccompanied minors, to access safe and legal routes to protection and family reunion across the UK, France, and Greece. It is primarily a children’s refugee charity, though it also supports some young people and families affected by displacement and war.

      In the UK, it provides specialist legal support and assistance to help children safely reunite with their families, navigate complex asylum and immigration procedures, and access their rights under UK and international law. 

      The organisation also works on family reunion applications and provides related legal representation. In addition to its direct casework, Safe Passage campaigns to improve policies and raise awareness of the challenges faced by refugee children, promoting a safer and fairer system for vulnerable young people.

    • Save the Children UK

      Save the Children UK  is a leading charity committed to improving the lives of children in the UK and around the world, with a strong focus on education, health, protection, and emergency response. As part of its mission, the organisation provides dedicated support to refugee children and youth, both nationally and internationally.

      Refugee children often face challenges due to conflict, displacement, and trauma, and Save the Children UK works to address these through a range of programmes including offering mental health and psychosocial support. 

      In addition, the charity supports access to education through early learning initiatives, catch-up classes, and the distribution of school supplies. They create safe, child-friendly spaces where displaced children can learn, play, and recover from trauma and begin to heal.

    • Scotland’s approach to child trafficking and protection

      Scotland’s approach to tackling trafficking and protecting children is shaped by both strategic policy and practical guidance. 

      Scotland’s Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy (2025) adopts a public health and child protection approach to trafficking. It emphasises the prevention of exploitation, early identification of victims, and the provision of tailored support, while recognising child trafficking as a form of abuse that requires a safeguarding response. The strategy also highlights the importance of multi-agency working, with services such as social work, police, health, and third-sector organisations collaborating to share information, assess risk, and protect children effectively.

      This strategic framework is supported by the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021, updated 2023) which provides a framework for identifying, reporting and responding to child abuse, outlining specific protocols for professionals working with children. This includes guidance on relevant legislation, duties and responsibilities towards child victims of trafficking, recognition of the range of abuse and exploitation associated with child trafficking, and ensuring inter-agency working in cases of concerns about exploitation or trafficking.

      Together, these frameworks ensure a joined-up approach in Scotland, where national policy sets the direction and frontline guidance supports professionals in safeguarding children at risk of trafficking and exploitation.

    • The Scottish Refugee Council

      The Scottish Refugee Council is a Scottish charity that provides practical support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers to help them rebuild their lives in Scotland.  

      The Scottish Refugee Council, together with Aberlour Children’s Charity, delivers the statutory Guardianship Scotland-National Child Trafficking Support Service. This service supports unaccompanied and trafficked children and young people in Scotland by providing advocacy, emotional support, and assistance navigating welfare, legal, and asylum systems.

      They also assist families with children through tailored services like Family Rights Service providing personalised support including helping them access healthcare, education, housing, legal advice, and financial assistance. Each family is guided by a dedicated case manager to navigate the asylum system, understand their rights, and settle into life in Scotland.

      In addition, the Scottish Government webpage on unaccompanied children provides an overview of how Scotland supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking children under the age of 18.

    • Together with Migrant Children (TwMC)

      Together with Migrant Children is a UK-based migrant rights and children’s welfare charity that provides advocacy, social work, and support services for migrant children, young people, their families, and caregivers living in London and the South East. 

      The organisation provides advice, long-term casework, advocacy, and specialist social work assessments, particularly for those with insecure immigration status, no recourse to public funds, or at risk of destitution.

      The charity also runs group activities, safe spaces, and emotional support programmes for children and parents, while offering training for professionals involved in child welfare and migration. They deliver their services through community outreach, school visits, and activity days, working collaboratively with other organisations to support refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant families with immigration challenges, integration, and access to essential services.

    • Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and leaving care: Funding instructions. Guidance. UK Visas & Immigration. UK Government.

      This guidance sets out the conditions under which local authorities across the UK may claim Home Office funding for supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and former UASC care leavers. The instructions cover eligibility criteria, operational procedures, legal requirements, funding rates, payment processes, exclusions, immigration-status conditions, and responsibilities linked to care and leaving-care support. 

    • Working together to safeguard children. Statutory guidance. Department for Education. UK Government.

      The guidance outlines the legal framework and expectations for multi-agency safeguarding and child protection practice. It details the responsibilities of local authorities, police, health services, education providers, social care, and other safeguarding partners in helping, supporting, and protecting children from abuse and neglect. it covers early help, information sharing, assessments, child protection processes, safeguarding partnerships, and inter-agency collaboration to promote the welfare and safety of children.

    • BACA Charity

      BACA charity provides safe, supported accommodation and holistic care for young unaccompanied asylum seekers, refugees, and victims of trafficking aged 16 to 18 on arrival in the UK, with services based in Loughborough (Leicestershire) and Cambridge.

      BACA directly provides housing for child refugees through supported accommodation. They offer safe homes with staff support, including initial high-support housing, followed by semi-independent living to help young people move on to independent housing. 

      In addition to accommodation, they offer tailored support, including access to education, English language learning, life skills training, therapeutic support, and community integration activities, to help young people recover from trauma, build independence, and transition into adulthood.

    • Barnardo’s

      Barnardo’s supports some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, including those who are abused, neglected, or seeking asylum, by delivering holistic, practical, protective, and care-focused services.

      One of Barnardo’s key roles is helping children and young people access safe resettlement and care placements. It runs supported accommodation services for unaccompanied and asylum-seeking young people, including residential settings designed to provide stability, safety, and ongoing care. 

      In addition to residential accommodation, Barnardo’s works to secure appropriate foster placements, ensuring that children are placed in environments that meet their emotional and developmental needs. These services go beyond guidance, as Barnardo’s is directly involved in the provision and management of care placements, supporting young people every step of the way.

    • Independent Children’s Network (ICN)

      Independent Children’s Network (ICN) is a UK-based children’s charity that supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young adults aged 16–24 by providing safe accommodation, practical and emotional support, and help accessing essential services while they await decisions on their asylum claims.

      ICN is contracted by local authorities to provide semi-independent placements, supported lodgings, and accommodation for newly arrived young people. The charity also supports young people with day-to-day living skills, education, health appointments, community integration, and navigating the asylum process.

    • Legal framework, social welfare provision, and housing for asylum seekers in the UK. Home Office, UK Government.

      In the UK, housing for asylum seekers, including children, is funded by the government and managed by the Home Office which contracts private companies to manage and maintain properties. The UK government has a legal duty to provide asylum support  including accommodation under several Acts of Parliament, financial assistance, free state school and health care from the National Health Service (NHS) to help them while waiting to find out if they will be given asylum.

      The Children Act 1989 requires local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including providing accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children as children in care. In practice, local authorities are responsible for delivering this care, arranging suitable housing, assigning social workers, and creating care plans to ensure the children’s safety and wellbeing.

      The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires the government to provide housing and basic financial support to asylum-seeking families who cannot support themselves. 

      The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 ensures that young people who have been in care continue to receive support with accommodation as they move into adulthood.

      Alongside this, organisations such as Migrant Help play a support and advisory role, helping families and children apply for housing, understand their entitlements, and resolve issues with accommodation. In certain cases, such as victims of slavery and human trafficking, Migrant Help may also directly provide safe, specialist accommodation and tailored support.

    • Oasis Care

      Oasis Care provides supported accommodation and care services for young people, including separated migrant children, in Derby and the surrounding area. The organisation aims to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments where young people can gain confidence and independence. Their approach includes personalised support, trauma-informed practice, trusted relationships with staff, access to education and skills development, and connections with community services to help young people settle, grow, and thrive in their newly adopted country.

    • Pathways to Independence UK

      Pathways to Independence UK  is a Brighton-based youth charity supporting vulnerable young people and young adults aged 14–25, including care leavers, unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors, and those experiencing social exclusion or housing instability.

      Originally providing specialist supported accommodation, the organisation now focuses on mentoring, outreach, creative projects, and trauma-informed safe spaces to build confidence, life skills, and a sense of community. Through partnerships and advocacy, Pathways to Independence UK amplifies young people’s voices, promotes inclusion, and helps them transition successfully into adulthood, fostering belonging and connection across the communities it serves.

    • Race Equality Foundation (REF)

      The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity that aims to tackle racism in UK society and to positively transform the lives of the ethnically diverse population, including refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. 

      The foundation aims to improve the health and care of this population by producing briefings, reports, and running projects such as the Better Health project. The project seeks to develop a national evidence-based resource to help health practitioners improve service provision for ethnically diverse communities and integrate race equality in their day-to-day work.

      Key areas of REF’s work include health and social care, children and families, housing, and community. Follow the links below to access briefings and reports on these areas.

    • Tact Fostering

      TACT Fostering is the UK’s largest fostering charity, providing stable and supportive homes for vulnerable children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). 

      They recruit and train foster carers to meet the unique needs of refugee children, placing them in safe and nurturing foster homes. TACT supports young people to settle into their new environment, access education, develop English language skills, and receive emotional and psychological support, helping them build confidence, gain independence, and gradually integrate into UK society while creating a stable foundation for their future.

    • Barnardo’s

      Barnardo’s supports some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, including those who are abused, neglected, or seeking asylum, by delivering holistic, practical, protective, and care-focused services.

      The charity helps refugee and asylum-seeking children access safe, stable accommodation, including supported housing and foster placements, ensuring both immediate protection and long-term stability. It also provides emotional and mental health support to help children cope with trauma, displacement, and loss, as well as practical assistance such as access to healthcare, education, and essential items like food.

      In addition, Barnardo’s supports children’s education and integration by helping them attend school, learn English, and adapt to life in the UK. Its work includes advocacy and safeguarding to protect children’s rights and ensure they receive appropriate care, as well as parenting support and fostering and adoption services to secure stable, long-term family environments.

      Barnardo’s, through its National Counter Trafficking Centre (NCTC), provides specialised support for trafficked children across England and Wales. This support is delivered via its Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service (ICTGS), which offers advocacy, guidance, and emotional support, helping children navigate complex systems and recover from trauma and exploitation.

    • Female genital mutilation (FGM): Migrant health guide. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. UK Government. 

      This is a clinical and public health guidance resource for healthcare professionals. It provides information on identifying, safeguarding, and supporting individuals affected by or at risk of FGM, including health consequences, clinical management, safeguarding procedures, and culturally sensitive approaches to care and prevention.

    • Guidelines for psychologists working with refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Extended version. British Psychological Society. (2018). 

      The guidelines emphasise trauma-informed, culturally responsive and ethically grounded practice, highlighting the need to understand the impact of pre-migration trauma, forced displacement, and post-migration stressors such as detention, uncertainty, and social isolation. The guidelines stress building trust, working sensitively with interpreters, and adapting assessment and intervention approaches that are flexible and culturally appropriate. They also underline the importance of safeguarding, maintaining professional boundaries, and avoiding re-traumatisation during clinical work. 

    • Guidelines for psychologists working with refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. A summary. British Psychological Society. (2018).

      The summary version of the guidelines also advises psychologists to provide trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care for refugees and asylum seekers, adapting assessment and intervention to account for displacement-related stress and uncertainty. They also highlight the importance of using interpreters effectively, avoiding re-traumatisation, and considering social and legal factors affecting mental health.

    • The Helen Bamber Foundation

      The Helen Bamber Foundation is a UK-based human rights charity that supports child and adult survivors of trafficking, torture, and other forms of extreme trauma. Its core mission centres on protecting survivors of torture, trafficking, conflict, and exploitation, while advocating for their rights and ensuring their safety and dignity.

      A key aspect of the foundation’s work is its therapeutic, trauma-informed approach. It provides specialised psychological support, including counselling and mental health services, to help survivors recover from the effects of violence, war, and displacement. These therapeutic programmes are designed to promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and long-term recovery.

      In addition to mental health support, the foundation offers holistic assistance by helping service users access legal representation, education, safe housing, and essential welfare services. This integrated approach ensures that their immediate needs are met while also supporting their long-term integration and stability.

    • Human trafficking. Migrant health guide.Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. UK Government. 

      The guide advises healthcare professionals working with migrants who may be victims of human trafficking or modern slavery, including children and young people. It explains how to recognise indicators of trafficking, respond to physical and mental health needs, apply safeguarding procedures, and refer adults and children to appropriate protection and support services. The guidance also highlights the importance of multi-agency working and child protection responsibilities in cases involving trafficked children, and recognises the physical, psychological, and safeguarding needs of trafficked adults and children.

    • Mental Health and Human Rights Info (MHHRI) Database

      Mental Health and Human Rights Info is an international resource that offers a valuable database containing references, publications, guides, organisations, and more, covering key topics related to mental health and human rights violations in the context of disaster, war, and conflict. 

      The information is organised into thematic pages and the website is available in both English and Spanish.

      The website also offers Gender-Based Violence Training Manuals designed for those who support survivors of gender-based violence or train professionals working directly with them. 

      The manuals address working with:

      These manuals are available in multiple languages.

    • Race Equality Foundation (REF)

      The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity that aims to tackle racism in UK society and to positively transform the lives of the ethnically diverse population, including refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. 

      The foundation aims to improve the health and care of this population by producing briefings, reports, and running projects such as the Better Health project. The project seeks to develop a national evidence-based resource to help health practitioners improve service provision for ethnically diverse communities and integrate race equality in their day-to-day work.

      Key areas of REF’s work include health and social care, children and families, housing, and community. Follow the links below to access briefings and reports on these areas.

    • Refugee Council

      The Refugee Council provides nationwide support for refugee and asylum-seeking children and adults, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). These include mental health support, age assessments, education access, and helping them rebuild their lives in the UK.

      Their Help for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum page offers information and support across categories such as advice, housing, education, children, and young people. Services and projects can be searched by keyword, location, or type of service.

      The organisation offers comprehensive mental health support to refugees and asylum seekers across the UK through its various projects, including one-to-one counselling, therapeutic support for unaccompanied children and families, psychoeducation workshops and many more. 

      In addition, they offer the Refugees into Jobs service that provides advice on employment for refugees across the UK. 

    • Refugee Council’s My View Children’s Therapy Service

      The Refugee Council’s My View Children’s Therapy Service offers trauma-informed therapy to refugee and asylum-seeking children. The service aims to stabilise and improve the psychological and emotional well-being of separated asylum-seeking children. 

      My View service is available in London, East of England, and Yorkshire and Humberside, both in person and online.

    • Vulnerable migrants: Migrant health guide. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities. UK Government. 

      The guide is for clinicians working with migrants who may have health and safeguarding needs due to experiences before, during, or after migration. It identifies groups who may be particularly vulnerable, including asylum seekers and refugees, unaccompanied children, people who have been trafficked, undocumented migrants, among other vulnerable populations. It provides information on recognising physical and mental health needs, safeguarding concerns, access to NHS services, and referral to appropriate health, social care, and support services. 

    • Breadwinners

      Breadwinners is a UK-based grassroots charity supporting young refugees and people seeking asylum aged 16–24 in London and Brighton through employment, training, and mentoring opportunities.

      The organisation runs market stalls and a wholesale artisan bread business, through which it offers structured programmes such as Risers and Proofers that offer tailored training and work experience, including running market stalls and online shops. 

      By fostering independence and wellbeing in young refugees, Breadwinners helps them gain UK work experience and transition into further work or education.

    • Brighter Futures 

      Brighter Futures is a youth-led project based in East London that supports young migrants aged 18 to 25 in London. Run in partnership by Praxis and  Kazzum Arts, the initiative offers a safe, inclusive space where young people with lived experience of the immigration system can meet regularly to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

      The group engages in creative expression and peer-led activities, including poetry, art, film and public events designed to raise awareness of migrant issues and challenge negative narratives while building community and agency. 

    • City of Sanctuary UK

      The City of Sanctuary is a UK-based charity that aims to create a culture of hospitality and support for people seeking sanctuary. It focuses on building safe and welcoming communities for those escaping persecution or violence. It brings together a national network of local groups such as councils, schools, libraries, and community organisations to foster inclusion and compassion.

      In addition, City of Sanctuary’s website provides resources that serve as comprehensive guides for organisations aiming to support people seeking sanctuary in their specific areas. The charity also offers teaching materials on its Schools of Sanctuary website to support schools in their sanctuary efforts.

    • Displaced Student Opportunities (DSO) UK

      The Displaced Student Opportunities UK portal is a comprehensive resource designed to help refugees and asylum seekers, including young adults, access higher education in the UK. 

      It provides a centralised platform where students can find a range of educational opportunities, including scholarships, online courses, and preparatory programmes. 

      The portal is jointly hosted by three organisations: Refugee Education UK (REUK), Student Action for Refugees  (STAR), and Universities of Sanctuary  (UoS).

    • Hope for the Young

      Hope for the Young is a London-based charity that supports young refugees, asylum seekers, and those with insecure immigration status, aged 16 to 28 to help them build stable and independent lives in the UK.

      The organisation’s main activity is a structured mentoring programme, where trained volunteers provide consistent one-to-one support. Through this relationship, young people are helped to develop confidence, improve their English language skills, and gain the motivation and tools needed to progress in education and training.

      A key part of its work is helping young people set realistic goals and plan their next steps, whether that involves enrolling in college, accessing further education, or moving towards employment. In addition, mentors also assist young people in navigating practical challenges such as accessing services, understanding systems in the UK, and building the skills needed for everyday life.

    • National Youth Agency (NYA)

      The National Youth Agency is a UK charity and the national body for youth work in England. It supports youth work, including setting quality standards, training youth workers, developing good practices, supporting youth organisations, and ensuring services reach young people effectively. 

      NYA also provides indirect support for refugee and migrant youth through training sessions on cultural inclusion and trauma-informed practice, partnerships with organisations like the British Red Cross, and promoting a youth work environment that fosters belonging, safety, and equality for all young people, regardless of background or immigration status.

    • Refugee Education (REUK)

      The Refugee Education UK (REUK) supports young refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking, generally aged 14 to 25, in accessing, remaining in, and thriving within the UK education system, regardless of their faith, religion, or beliefs. 

      Their core programmes include Educational Mentoring, delivered across London, Oxford, and Birmingham, where trained volunteer mentors provide one-to-one weekly academic and wellbeing support to young refugees and asylum seekers. 

      In addition, REUK offers Educational Progression support to help young people access and navigate further and higher education, as well as an Educational Wellbeing programme that addresses barriers such as trauma, instability, and social isolation. REUK also carries out research, training, and advocacy work aimed at improving the wider education system for displaced children and young people in the UK.

    • Refugee Study

      The Refugee Study is an information portal that supports refugees and asylum-seeking youths and adults, including those aged 16 and above, who wish to study in the UK. 

      It provides details about grants, scholarships, bursaries, and free courses, along with links to relevant funding organisations. It also offers tips to help users secure funding.

    • Student Action for Refugees (STAR)

      Student Action for Refugees is a UK-wide network of university students working to build a more understanding and just society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive in the UK. 

      These student groups, based in colleges and universities, work alongside a central team of experts to create lasting change through multiple approaches. These include volunteering locally to support refugees and build connections, campaigning nationally for policy change and equal access to higher education for refugees, and learning about refugee protection and the asylum process in the UK through sessions with experts and peers. 

      While STAR primarily involves college and university students, its programmes and support services are designed to assist refugees and asylum seekers across a broad age range, typically 16 and above.

    • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) UK

      The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations organisation responsible for protecting and supporting refugees, including children and families, and others displaced by conflict, persecution, or disaster, who have been forced to flee their countries in search of safety.

      The Refugee Education Report 2024  highlights the progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring refugee children and young people have access to quality education around the world. In the UK, UNHCR launched the Build Better Futures: Education initiative to help refugee children and young people access education and create better opportunities for their future.

      In addition, UNHCR UK hosts a website that offers a collection of teaching materials on refugees, asylum, and migration for primary and secondary education, as well as some guidance for teachers working with refugee children in the classroom. 

      UNHCR UK also operates a multilingual ‘Help’ website that provides vital information on rights, obligations, and available services in the UK.

    • Universities of Sanctuary

      The Universities of Sanctuary is a national network of university staff, lecturers, academics, and students, and an initiative of City of Sanctuary UK. The network was developed through a partnership between City of Sanctuary, Article 26, Student Action for Refugees and other organisations.

      It aims to foster a culture and practice of welcome within universities, the wider community, and across the UK higher education sector. The network works to make higher education institutions places of safety, solidarity, and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary, including refugees and asylum seekers.

    • Bora Shabaa Community Refugee Organisation

      Bora Shabaa Community Refugee Organisation is a Hull-based charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers in Hull and surrounding areas. As part of its wider support services, the organisation provides free and informal interpretation and translation support to help individuals and families access essential services including healthcare, housing, education, employment, and welfare support.

      The service is available in several languages, including Swahili, Arabic, French, Kinyarwanda, and Taabwa, helping to reduce language barriers for refugee communities in the area. The organisation’s interpretation and translation services also support refugee and asylum-seeking families, including assistance with accessing education, healthcare, and other essential services for children and young people. 

    • Clear Voice – Migrant Help

      Clear Voice is a social enterprise run by the UK charity Migrant Help that provides interpreting and translation services, including telephone, video, and face-to-face interpreting, as well as written translations. These services help refugees, migrants, and other vulnerable individuals and families communicate with schools, healthcare providers, social workers, legal advisers, and other support services.

      The organisation also promotes culturally sensitive and empathetic interpreting practices, which are particularly important for people who may have experienced conflict, displacement, trafficking, or family separation. This contributes to safer, more inclusive, and more accessible support for vulnerable communities, including children.

      In addition, Clear Voice runs the InPower Project, which supports unemployed refugees and migrants by funding education and interpreter training programmes. The project helps participants develop professional skills and employment opportunities, with many going on to work as professional interpreters for Clear Voice. The initiative also increases the availability of interpreters with lived experience of migration and displacement. 

    • The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EA NI)-Interpreting and Translation Services

      The Education Authority is responsible for ensuring that efficient and effective primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people. EA also supports the provision of efficient and effective youth services across Northern Ireland, including the provision of Interpreting and Translation Services.

      Within the Education Authority, the Intercultural Education Service (IES) supports schools by providing interpreting and translation services through various external agencies to help communicate with newcomer families. The specialist Asylum Seeker and Refugee (ASR) Support Team operates within the IES and works specifically with asylum-seeking and refugee children and their families. The ASR team helps families access education and school support by arranging interpreters and translation services, supporting communication between schools and parents, and assisting with wider educational and wellbeing needs.

      The IES Interpreting Guidelines outline the procedures for using interpreting and translation services in schools. These guidelines cover telephone, face-to-face, and video interpreting, as well as limited translation services. 

    • Ethnic Minority Achievement Services (EMAS) 

      Ethnic Minority Achievement Services are specialist education support services provided by many local authorities across the UK to help children from ethnic minority, migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking backgrounds succeed in education. 

      EMAS teams work closely with schools, families, and community organisations to support children who use English as an Additional Language (EAL) and to help newcomer families settle into the education system. 

      One of the key roles of many EMAS teams is supporting communication between schools and multilingual families through interpreting and translation support. Depending on the local authority, EMAS may arrange interpreters or bilingual support staff for school meetings, parents’ evenings, admissions appointments, safeguarding discussions, and wellbeing meetings. They may also help translate school letters, forms, policies, and other important educational information to support parental engagement. 

      Although a number of EMAS teams across local authorities have merged or been reorganised into broader inclusion or EAL services, their core work continues through support for pupils who use English as an Additional Language. 

      Information about EMAS and related EAL support services can usually be found through local council and education websites.

      Here are some examples:

      As local councils reduced central EAL support services, schools increasingly turned to the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC) for specialist expertise, training, and professional support. NALDIC is the UK’s leading professional association dedicated to the education of children and young people who use English as an Additional Language (EAL), including multilingual, refugee, asylum-seeking, and newly arrived learners.

      The association provides research-informed guidance, teacher training, professional development, and advocacy to help schools create inclusive and effective learning environments for multilingual pupils. While it does not offer direct interpreting or translation services, it plays a significant role in supporting educators and EAL professionals across the UK.

    • Fair Futures CIC 

      Fair Futures is a Community Interest Company that works with children, young people and families in Bury, Greater Manchester, and surrounding areas to promote successful learning and reduce barriers to education.

      It provides interpreting and translation services to support refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant children and families through working with schools, local authorities, healthcare providers, and community organisations to help children and parents overcome language barriers and access education and support services.

      Fair Futures offers face-to-face, telephone, and online interpreting in a wide range of languages, as well as written translation of school letters, forms, reports, and other important documents. Their services help schools communicate effectively with parents and guardians, support children during school admissions and meetings, and ensure families understand educational processes and available support.

    • Guidance for commissioners: interpreting and translation services in Primary Care. Guidance. Primary Care Commissioning. (2018). NHS England.

      The guidance explains how commissioners should ensure access to interpreting and translation services in primary care, emphasising that services should provide language support to facilitate accurate communication and fair access to healthcare for patients who are not fluent in English.

    • INTRAN 

      INTRAN is a not-for-profit multi-agency partnership in the East of England that provides interpreting, translation, British Sign Language, and braille services for public sector and voluntary organisations. It supports councils, schools, NHS services, charities, and community organisations in overcoming language barriers and improving access to public services. 

      It offers face-to-face, telephone, and video interpreting, as well as written translation services in numerous languages and dialects. Its services are used across education, healthcare, social care, housing, safeguarding, and community support settings. This includes translating important documents and providing interpreters for school meetings, assessments, appointments, and family support discussions, helping multilingual families, including refugees and asylum seekers, communicate effectively with schools and public services.

    • Language interpreting and translation: Migrant health guide. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities. UK Government.

      This guide advises healthcare professionals to use qualified interpreters and translated materials to support accurate communication with patients who have limited knowledge of the English language. It also highlights the importance of not using family members as interpreters and of maintaining confidentiality, patient safety, and access to healthcare.

    • The National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) 

      National Register of Public Service Interpreters is a UK-based professional regulatory register that lists qualified interpreters. It does not provide direct refugee support, but it plays an important role in improving the quality of interpreting services used by refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, including children, who require language support.

      NRPSI helps ensure that public service organisations such as courts, the NHS, the police, and local authorities can access properly trained and vetted interpreters. This means that when refugees, asylum seekers, or migrants require communication support in legal, healthcare, or immigration settings, the interpreters used are reliable and professionally qualified. In this way, NRPSI helps improve communication and reduce language barriers in essential public services.

    • PAB Languages Centre

      PAB Languages Centre is a UK-based professional interpreting and translation company providing face-to-face, telephone, video, and written language services in numerous languages. The organisation works with healthcare, education, legal, social care, and public sector organisations, supplying interpreters for community and public-service settings, including settings involving children’s and safeguarding services. 

      PAB Languages states that its social services interpreters support communication between non-English-speaking families and professionals such as social workers, children’s centre staff, healthcare workers, and support agencies, while working in line with confidentiality, safeguarding, and public service interpreting standards.

    • Praxis for Migrants and Refugees 

      Praxis for Migrants and Refugees is a London-based charity that supports migrants, refugees, families, and people with insecure immigration status. Alongside its wider advice and support work, the organisation also provides interpreting and translation services designed to help overcome language barriers. 

      Praxis’ interpreting and translation services may also support refugee and migrant families, including support relating to children and young people. These services support communication between migrants, refugees, and organisations such as legal and immigration advisers, housing providers, GP practices, and other support agencies. By offering these language services, Praxis enables migrants and refugees to better understand information, access essential services, and communicate their needs more effectively.

    • Refugees in Effective & Active Partnership (REAP)

      Refugees in Effective & Active Partnership is a West London-based, refugee-led charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in the UK. It provides practical help such as English language support, training, networking and workshops that help people access essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, and community support. 

      REAP also provides interpreting and communication support for refugee and asylum-seeking children and their families. Through its Community Interpreting and ‘Connecting’ services, it helps families communicate with schools, healthcare providers, social services, and other organisations that support children and young people.

      The charity offers trained community interpreters in a wide range of languages through face-to-face, telephone, and video interpreting. This support helps refugee children and parents understand school information, attend meetings and appointments, access healthcare and wellbeing services, and participate more fully in education and community life.

    • Sussex Interpreting Services (SIS)  

      Sussex Interpreting Services is a charitable social enterprise based in Brighton that provides professional community interpreting, translation, and bilingual advocacy services to help refugees, asylum seekers, adults, children, young people, and families with language needs access public services. 

      SIS supports communication during interactions with healthcare, education, social care, and other public services. Services are typically provided free to service users when commissioned by the NHS, local authorities, or other public-service providers.

      The SIS website also offers downloadable multilingual information resources, including a service information booklet and dual-language appointment letters. These letters help service providers communicate key appointment details such as date, time, location, and preparation instructions in both English and the client’s native language, helping to improve understanding and reduce misunderstandings.

    • Tarjimly

      Tarjimly is a non-profit humanitarian technology organisation and mobile app that connects users with volunteer translators and interpreters on demand, providing real-time language support.

      The name “Tarjimly” comes from the Arabic phrase meaning “translate for me.” Its mission is to reduce humanitarian language barriers globally by improving communication and access to essential services. Tarjimly’s services are used by refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, non-profit organisations, schools, healthcare providers, legal services, humanitarian workers, and volunteers supporting displaced and migrant communities worldwide.

      Through its mobile and web platforms, Tarjimly offers both Tarjimly Essentials and Tarjimly Premium. Tarjimly Premium is a low-cost subscription service designed for humanitarian organisations and service providers, while Tarjimly Essentials is a free translation and interpretation service that connects people facing language barriers with volunteer translators and interpreters in real time.

    • Working with interpreters in mental health (2nd ed.).  Tribe, R., Thompson, K., & Raval, H. (Eds.). (2026). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003558026

      An edited book that explores best practice for mental health professionals and interpreters working together across diverse settings. The book covers interpreting in adult and child mental health services, including work with children, adolescents, families, schools, and multilingual therapeutic settings. It examines practical, ethical, cultural, and clinical issues involved in interpreter-mediated mental health settings.

    • Working with interpreters in Mental health: Guidance. The British Psychological Society, BPS. (2026). 

      This guidance supports psychologists working with interpreters in mental health and psychological settings involving adults, children, and young people. It emphasises that psychologists should develop skills in working effectively with interpreters and promote inclusive practice for non-English-speaking and d/Deaf service users. The guidance also highlights the importance of treating interpreters as valued members of the professional team, supporting their wellbeing, and recognising their contribution to effective and inclusive mental health care.

    • Working with an interpreter: Toolkit for practitioners and interpreters. Good Practice Guide. Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and Centre for Translation & Interpreting Studies in Scotland (2006, updated 2013, revised 2018).

      The toolkit provides practical guidance for both practitioners and interpreters on working effectively together in mental health settings involving adults, children, and young people. It outlines good practice for preparation, communication, role boundaries, confidentiality, and collaborative working to support safe, accurate, and effective care for service users.

    • Asylum helplines. Advice & support. UK Visas & Immigration, UK Government. 

      Help is available by phone for asylum applicants and refugees who need advice about the asylum process, housing issues, financial support, adapting to life in the UK, or integrating into their local community, including accessing services, education, employment, and everyday life.

    • Guidance for psychologists on working with community organisations. Guidance. The British Psychological Society. (2018). 

      The guidance encourages psychologists to work collaboratively with community organisations to improve access, engagement, and culturally appropriate support for service users, including adults, children, and young people. It highlights the importance of building respectful partnerships, sharing expertise, and understanding community contexts to enhance psychological practice and reach underserved groups.

    • Integrating refugees: What works? What can work? What does not work?A summary of the evidence.  Second edition. Coley, J. et al. (2019). Home Office, UK Government. 

      A summary evidence review examining factors that influence refugee integration in the UK, including issues affecting refugee children and families. The report identifies factors that support successful settlement, such as language learning, employment opportunities, stable housing, education, and community connections, while also highlighting barriers including discrimination, poor access to services, social isolation, and insecure immigration status. In addition, it emphasises the importance of coordinated approaches involving government, local communities, employers, and refugee support organisations to improve integration outcomes.

    • International Rescue Committee UK (IRC UK)

      The International Rescue Committee UK is a humanitarian organisation that supports refugees and vulnerable migrants to rebuild their lives and successfully integrate into the UK. It helps new arrivals in the UK to navigate local services like healthcare and education, and supports them to find employment and gain the skills that will allow them to prosper in the UK.  

      IRC UK offers a range of integration services for refugees and other vulnerable migrants. These include orientation services to help new arrivals navigate British systems, translation services, peer mentoring and wellbeing support. 

      One of its key initiatives is the Healing Classrooms programme, which supports refugee and displaced children by creating safe, structured, and emotionally supportive learning environments. This approach helps children recover from trauma while developing essential academic and social skills. It also works with schools and educators to build inclusive, nurturing spaces where refugee and asylum-seeking students can reach their full potential. In addition, the programme provides free training and resources to teachers working with these students across the UK.

    • Refugee Council

      The Refugee Council provides nationwide support for refugee and asylum-seeking children and adults, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). These include mental health support, age assessments, education access, and helping them rebuild their lives in the UK.

      The Refugee Council supports the integration of refugees and asylum seekers through the provision of both practical assistance and advocacy work, enabling them to settle in the UK, access essential services, and understand key systems such as housing, healthcare, and benefits. It also promotes integration by supporting English language learning, education, training, and employment opportunities, as well as providing wellbeing and mental health and therapeutic support for adults and children.

      Their Help for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum page offers information and support across categories such as advice, housing, education, children, and young people. Services and projects can be searched by keyword, location, or type of service.

      In addition, they offer the Refugees into Jobs service that provides advice on employment for refugees across the UK. 

    • Refugee integration and resettlement analysis. Collection. Home Office. UK Government.

      The collection includes reports and datasets assessing refugee family units, particularly focusing on children and vulnerable individuals. It features research papers like the Qualitative Evaluation of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme (VCRS), which track integration data related to a range of different integration-related domains, including housing, English language, employment, education, health and social connections.

    • Scottish Government policy hub: Supporting the integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland

      The Scottish Government Policy hub on Asylum and Refugees outlines Scotland’s approach to supporting asylum seekers and refugees, including children. The hub provides information and resources specifically focused on supporting refugee children, addressing the unique challenges they face as asylum seekers. 

      It covers key areas such as access to education, language support and resources, healthcare services, and legal rights and protections for children, including unaccompanied minors. Additionally, the hub outlines initiatives aimed at fostering social integration, helping refugee children connect with their communities, and access essential social services.

      The Scottish Government works in partnership with organisations including the Home Office, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), local authorities, and non-governmental organisations to promote early integration from the point of arrival and support long-term settlement.

      Overall, the page provides a clear and accessible overview of policy, strategy, and practical support, while linking to more detailed guidance and resources.

      It supports refugees and people seeking asylum by:

      Find out about your rights and entitlements in Scotland at Asylum and refugees on mygov.scot.

    • The Scottish Refugee Council

      The Scottish Refugee Council is a Scottish charity that provides practical support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers of all ages, including children, to help them rebuild their lives in Scotland.  

      They offer various services, including direct support services that cater to the specific needs of families and young people, ensuring that children receive appropriate support in areas such as education, healthcare, and integration into their new communities. Their initiatives often include advocacy, guidance, and practical assistance aimed at helping children and their families rebuild their lives in Scotland.

      In addition to its direct, face-to-face services, the organisation also provides a range of online resources in various languages through its website. These include resources specifically designed for newly granted refugees, which help individuals understand their rights and access essential services after receiving refugee status. There are also resources for people who have been refused asylum, offering guidance on their options and where to seek further support.

    • Scottish Refugee Council's resource library

      The Scottish Refugee Council’s resource library supports integration by providing a wide range of information and practical tools that help refugees and their children. 

      The library provides resources on topics such as children's rights, education, healthcare, social services, and integration support for refugee and asylum-seeking children. These resources help parents and caregivers access essential information to support their children's well-being, development, and successful adaptation to their new environment.

      In addition, the resource library supports professionals such as social workers, teachers, and advisors by providing toolkits, training materials, and good practice guidance. It also includes research and policy briefings that improve understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and inform better service delivery.

      Thus, the resource library plays an important role in promoting integration by enabling refugees to access the information they need, while also equipping organisations to provide informed and effective support that encourages participation in education, employment, and community life.

    • Welcome: A guide for new refugees. Home Office & UK Visas & Immigration. UK Government. 

      This is an information booklet designed to help newly granted refugees and their families settle in the UK. The guide explains key rights and entitlements, including access to work, housing, healthcare, education, and benefits, and provides practical information on integration, finding accommodation, accessing financial support, and using local services. The booklet is available in multiple languages.

CARE child resources