Support for unaccompanied asylum seeker children praised

Researchers have praised the "truly inspiring work" going on to help unaccompanied asylum seeker children build a new life in Scotland.

Dr Daria Morozova, of Glasgow Caledonian University, interviewed legal practitioners, teachers, and community workers to determine how stakeholders support under-18s arriving alone in the country.

The project, funded by the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network, was co-authored with Dr Diana Camps, of the University of Glasgow and Dr Kieran Taylor, of Queen Margaret University.

As well as interviewing teachers, lawyers and guardians, the research team also gathered insight from representatives of arts organisations and social workers.

The resulting briefing paper calls for an audit of educational provision for unaccompanied children across Scotland to ensure consistency and for young people to be consulted over additional support needs.

The paper concludes: "Despite the diverse array of challenges presented in working with unaccompanied children, numerous examples of good practice were cited and shared.

"Stakeholders felt encouraged by the networking and engagement done in areas which were newly receiving unaccompanied children.

"Their commitment and dedication to supporting unaccompanied children has been truly inspiring."