Housing associations' role in supporting young asylum seekers

Millions of people across the globe are forced to flee the place they call home to escape war, conflict and human rights abuses. Many find their way to the UK to seek safety; a shocking number are unaccompanied minors, children under the age of 18 separated from their parents and family members and not cared for by an adult; according to the Refugee Council, in the year to March 2022 alone the UK received 4,081 applications for asylum from unaccompanied children. But what happens to these children while their asylum claim is processed? And how are they helped to rebuild their lives?

The government's National Transfer Scheme (NTS) was launched in 2016 to ensure that each child arriving in the UK is placed with a local authority with children's services. In November 2021, amidst increasing strain on councils in London and Kent – where most unaccompanied children first arrive in the UK - the government announced that the formerly voluntary scheme would be made temporarily mandatory. Responsibility for unaccompanied children is now more equally shared between councils, which is expected to reduce delays in them getting the care and support they need and ultimately prevent them ending up in hotels.

At Hightown, we believe that every child should have a home and the support they need to live with confidence, independence, and choice, regardless of their immigration status. We operate three projects commissioned and rated 'Excellent' by Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated to 16-17 year-old young asylum seekers who have fled their own countries to escape war or humanitarian crime. As a member of the Homes for Cathy group, not only do these projects align with our wider commitment to ending homelessness, but they also support us to deliver on the eighth Homes for Cathy pledge 'to contribute towards ending migrant homelessness in the areas in which we operate'.

Hightown provides the young asylum seekers in our care with safe, secure accommodation and 24/7 specialist support. Our services also give young migrants the opportunities they need to recover and start a new safe and fulfilling life in the UK; our staff empower asylum-seeking children to develop essential life skills such as cooking and budgeting and support them to access education, learn English, develop social skills, and build confidence.

Because of their journeys and the horrific things they’ve seen, young people often need counselling and mental health support. Our staff adopt a trauma informed approach, understanding the emotional and psychological trauma experienced, to break down barriers to enable young people to move on with their lives.

UK law is hard to understand for most. For unaccompanied refugee children without a trusted adult to explain, complex immigration and legal systems are impossible to understand. Many will spend months or even years waiting to be told if they can stay. We therefore work closely with the Refugee Council, who have the specialist knowledge to guide them through these systems.

Housing associations like ourselves – with the requisite experience and expertise to deliver care and supported housing to people experiencing homelessness – are ideally placed to work in partnership with local authority colleagues to meet the obligations of the National Transfer Scheme. Could your organisation be doing more to help asylum seeking children arriving in the UK start living the life that every young person deserves?

Mazin’s Story
At 17 years old, Mazin fled civil unrest in his native Sudan and found his way to the UK.

When Mazin first arrived, it wasn't easy. He found himself in a new country, thrown into a new culture and language completely alien to him. Everything was unfamiliar. He felt desperately sad and alone.

Like many young refugees and migrants, he had to fight hard to start a new life. He found the language barrier challenging and struggled with mental health issues.

Mazin arrived at our Hightown scheme in October 2019. Staff were able to work with him through his more difficult times and support him with his mental health. In partnership with the Refugee Council, Mazin received therapy to help him cope with his trauma.

With the support of staff he enrolled at the local college and started studying Maths and IT alongside ESOL (English as a second language). He really embraced his learning opportunities and began to integrate with college peers and others living at the service. Staff supported Mazin to volunteer at a local pharmacy, which helped him begin to feel a real sense of belonging and part of the community.

Mazin was supported to attend his solicitor's appointments, Home Office, and all substantive interviews. In February 2022 he was granted refugee status and in May he moved into his very own place. Finally, the future looks bright for Mazin.