Support for Asylum Seekers (Refugee and migrant young people)

Support for Asylum Seekers (Refugee and migrant young people)

As a former Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child we recognise that achieving a settled immigration status is very important towards building your life in the UK.

If you have an asylum or refugee status application with the Home Office under consideration it's important to know that these applications can sometimes take years to process. During this time, you won't have permanent status in the UK, nor will you be able to work or receive regular benefits. However, you are entitled to support from the Leaving Care Service, including help with housing, living expenses, healthcare, and prescriptions. It's crucial to plan for these considerations well in advance of your 18th birthday. Speak with your PA for more information about your entitlements and how to appeal any decisions.

An unresolved immigration status can affect your ability to access further education, work, housing and welfare benefits. The Leaving Care service is committed to helping you to understand what your immigration status means and entitlements that are available to you.

Your Rights

• It is your right to feel safe, supported and be treated with dignity in the UK. If you feel unsafe or uncertain you can speak to your Personal Adviser about your concerns.

• You have a right to have an interpreter for meetings with the Home Office, doctor, dentist, social worker or solicitor if you need one.

• You have the right to access support and entitlements under the Children Act 1989 and Leaving Care Act 2000.

• You have a right to access education and positive activities.

• It's important that you have relevant information about your asylum claim.

• You have the right to a Pathway Plan.

If your application for leave to remain is approved, it will typically last for five years and be subject to review, granting you the right to work and potentially claim benefits. Further extensions may be possible, and we'll support your applications by connecting you with your solicitor. Don't worry about legal fees, they'll be covered by legal aid for your initial claim and appeals, so you don't have to pay anything for these appointments. Your pathway plan will also address the possibility of your leave to remain application being denied. Your solicitor will advise you on appeal routes and what happens if you face removal from the UK, including any necessary planning. Even if your appeals are exhausted, we'll continue supporting you until the Human Rights Assessment outcome. Importantly, we will not abandon you and will ensure an alternative organisation, such as NASS, provides support if the local authority is unable to.

Age Assessment/Needs Assessment

You will undergo an Age Assessment if you cannot provide documents which confirm your date of birth, or there are some questions about your age. Your Personal Adviser can provide you with more information. 

Support

There is a lot of support available to young people seeking asylum. We organise regular youth groups for Unaccompanied Asylum seeking care levers, if you are a non english speaker and if you need support communicating in english we will provide you an interpreter.   We also provide you a laptop and access to tutoring support- Flash academy App which delivers ESOL training, and also provide financial support to apply for a travel document. For more information please speak to your carer, or Personal Adviser. 

Your  Personal Adviser can help you access local groups:

Young Roots: a London-based charity working with young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25, most of whom are alone in the UK without their families. They offer support to young people to improve their wellbeing and fulfil their potential, through intensive one-to-one Casework, youth and sporting activities, English language mentoring, youth leadership and access to specialist therapeutic and legal advice. They can be contacted by emailing: london@youngroots.org.uk or 020 8684 9140 or visiting the Young Roots Website [external website].

Refugee Council: they work directly with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People providing independent advice and guidance. They can be contacted on: 0808 175 3499 or visit the refugee council website [external website]

For more information around asylum support please visit the government website [external website]