Supporting the lives and aspirations of children and young people migrating to the UK alone

Every year, thousands of children arrive in the UK seeking asylum without an accompanying adult. Categorised as ‘unaccompanied asylum-seeking children’, they face contradictory systems of care and control. Many lose vital support on turning 18, and some are detained or removed from the UK.

Drawing on two decades of research, Professor Elaine Chase (UCL) will explore the persistent gaps between the lived realities of these young people and the UK’s often unworkable immigration and welfare policies. She will show how current approaches frequently undermine wellbeing, rights, and access to basic social and economic support.

The lecture will argue for a fundamental shift: placing young people’s voices at the centre of policy and practice to create more effective, humane, and rights-based systems of support. 

There will also be reflections and a Q&A with Amina Meshnuni and Abdullahi Yussuf, both graduates of Coram’s Young Citizens programme, offering further insights on how policy reform can be informed by lived experience.

Drinks and light refreshments will follow from 18:30.

This event will be particularly useful for researchers, practitioners and advocates.

Related links

• Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
• Social Research Institute

Image

Jeshoots.com via Unsplash.