Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) who arrive in the UK must move through a complex and lengthy legal process to achieve permanent status, often involving repeated applications for short periods of leave. 

The current study, a collaboration between UCL and colleagues from the Baobab Centre for Young Survivors in Exile, and the Helen Bamber Foundation, investigated the impact of ‘discretionary leave’ (typically 30 months at a time), on young adults using in-depth interviews. Researchers found that this system has profound effect on the mental health, developmental trajectories, and future planning of young people.

Using a qualitative approach known as Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, the researchers analysed the lived experiences of eight former UASC. Participants described how years of immigration insecurity shaped their ability to study, work, recover from trauma and feel a sense of belonging, with three broad themes emerging from the analysis.

“What I could have been”

Many participants reflected on lost opportunities, particularly in education and employment, and how this hindered or prevented them from realising a vision of their future self. 

Although short-term leave often allowed them to work or study in principle, the limited timeframe made it difficult in practice. Several described how pursuing university or stable employment felt unrealistic within a 2.5‑year window, especially when much of that time was overshadowed by the need to reapply for status.

This led to a strong sense of disrupted life trajectories, with participants comparing themselves to peers who were able to progress without interruption. Some spoke about feeling that years had been “wasted”, limiting their ability to become the person they had imagined.

However, participants also noted how the rigours of the asylum process had also made them who they are. One participant mentioned how he now takes pride in his charitable work mentoring other asylum seekers.

Ongoing uncertainty affects mental health

While many participants had experienced trauma before arriving in the UK, the study found that ongoing uncertainty within the asylum system often compounded these difficulties and was an aggravating factor.

Participants described living with persistent anxiety about future decisions, particularly as visa expiry dates approached. This uncertainty affected sleep, concentration, and day-to-day wellbeing, and made it harder to engage in education, work or relationships. 

Although receiving discretionary leave brought short-term relief, this was often temporary. The expectation of further applications, and the possibility of refusal, meant that psychological recovery was frequently interrupted. Participants also spoke about the sense of embarrassment that the short-term immigration status had on them and how this could be quite isolating.

Feeling disbelieved

A recurring theme was the emotional impact of having one’s credibility questioned during the asylum process.

Some participants described a deep need to feel believed and validated, with immigration decisions shaping their sense of identity. Shorter grants of leave were sometimes interpreted as a sign of partial disbelief, contributing to feelings of stigma, shame and not belonging.

Even when young people saw the UK as their home, many reported feeling different from their peers due to their uncertain status, which could make it harder to form relationships and integrate socially.

Speaking about the findings, co-author Professor Nick Midgley (UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences) said: “Our study found that participants often spent close to a decade navigating different forms of immigration insecurity, significantly impacting young people’s ability to plan for the future. While many participants showed immense resilience and determination, the sustained uncertainty hindered their ability to develop a stable sense of self and heal from past trauma.

“These findings are especially poignant against the backdrop of the recent asylum reforms, which now see refugees needing to repeatedly reapply for protection.”

Speaking about the policy implications of this study, Ella Weldon, Research Coordinator at the Helen Bamber Foundation and co-author said: “Although, unaccompanied children are currently exempt from recent asylum reforms, the changes will have significant impact on young adults over 18. There is therefore an urgent need for asylum policies that prioritise developmental continuity and emotional security, for example by offering longer grants. This would enable individuals to pursue education, secure employment, and engage more fully in society.”

 

Related: