We will treat you with respect and kindness.
We will use interpreters so that we can communicate and support you. We will listen and respect your views about your care and future.
Support when you are new into our care
We will:
explain (and re-explain) the different roles of those who will be supporting you. We will tell you what to expect in the first few weeks as you settle into your new home and area
give you your own Social Worker as soon as you come into our care. They will visit you within 24 hours of moving into your new home
make an informed decision on the right home with the right support for you. We will make sure you have somewhere safe to live
give you your own Personal Advisor when you are 16, or 13 weeks after you have been in care
make sure you have good clothing, toiletries and access to a mobile phone
meet your needs so you are able to practise your religion at home. And/or at a centre of worship, which is accessible for you
send you a Welcome Pack that your Social Worker, carer or support worker can look through with you
support you with opening a bank account and learn how to manage money and budget
make sure the Refugee Council are able to provide you any extra support
review where you live and the support you get regularly through the child in care review process.
give you your own Quality Assurance Reviewing Officer (QARO) and access to an advocate, within 28 days of coming into our care.
complete a holistic assessment of your needs. This will help us understand your past experiences, and any struggles you have faced. We will provide the right support, reassurance to keep you safe.
refer to the Red Cross to help you with international family tracing
support you with any other informal ways of contacting family where possible
Meeting your needs
We will:
support you to register with a local doctor and get an initial health assessment
support you to access any treatment to ensure you are healthy. Such as seeing an optician and, where possible, a dentist
discuss and consider what support you need if you are showing signs of trauma. Such as nightmares, flashbacks and anxiety
provide other support such as physical exercise and activities in the community
give you a Virtual School Lead with regular Personal Education Plan meetings. They are every school term to review your educational needs
help you learn written and spoken English. We will provide all those in full time education with a laptop
support you to establish community links and make friends. By linking you up with:
local religious facilities
youth groups
leaving care groups
ethnic community groups
give you two gifts per year. One to mark your birthday and one religious festival, in line with your wishes
For the period of Ramadan, if you live alone or in supported housing. We will:
offer a single payment to support you to access extra halal food
provide what you need to meet your dietary requirements during Ramadan
Keeping you safe
Unaccompanied children are often vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and modern slavery.
To keep you safe we will:
support you to seek legal advice around making an application for asylum. If you are at risk of trafficking
make a referral to the ICTG (Independent Child Trafficking Guardian) service. And refer to National Referral Mechanism and use appropriate safeguarding procedures
make sure that you have access to good quality legal support as soon as possible
support you with your asylum application
come with you to any meetings or discussions about asylum
Supporting your asylum application
Most Unaccompanied Children will arrive with no documentation. It is not uncommon for the Home Office to dispute a child’s age.
We will support you by:
carefully considering if there is a need to complete an age assessment
including the observations and views of:
foster carers
QARO
teachers
any other significant person that is supporting you
sharing details of the age assessments with you. We will continue to support you throughout the process
All age assessments will be Merton compliant and undertaken by trained and experienced social workers. The outcome of the age assessment will be shared with you and the Home Office.
We will make sure the information on your Application Registration Card (ARC). Also known as an identity card, is correct and that you have your card.
Your independence
We will support you with a plan towards independence.
We will respect your:
unique and individual needs
aspirations
personality
potential
wishes
These will be discussed and explored within Care Plans. Or Pathway Plans (when you are over 16) and reviews.
All processes and decisions will be clear and explained in a way that you can understand.
We will adopt a triple planning approach until your asylum claim is resolved.
This means planning for possible outcomes after reaching 18:
Support you to have a future in the UK if you receive Leave to Remain.
Support you whilst you continue to wait for a decision or appeal, beyond your 18th birthday. This includes practical, financial and emotional support).
Sensitively consider options if you need to return to your country of origin. When all rights to appeal are exhausted.
When you have been granted Leave to Remain, we will support you to set-up your UKVI account and eVisa access.
You will manage this yourself. We will remind you to update your details if you change address or contact details.
When your eVisa is in place, we can support you to access travel documents. And gain a provisional driving licence for your ID in the UK.
If you are over the age of 18, and have your eVisa. We can support you to claim relevant benefits for your allowances and rent payments.
When you are granted asylum - we will offer you support and advice around seeking employment.