Through our Early Intervention Project we have developed a highly successful model for improving outcomes for children in care and care leavers subject to immigration control. Crucial to this work is ensuring that young people have access to effective information and legal representation as soon as they arrive in the UK, or their immigration issue is identified. A National Children’s Bureau evaluation of our project and others found that;
- “The projects being studied helped these young people get back on their feet. This included giving expert guidance on the immigration and asylum systems, but also offering holistic support to improve young people’s wellbeing, mental health and ability to engage with services.
- This type of early intervention work to identify and address the needs of these young people can help avoid costs later on which would normally be borne by local authorities. Researchers estimated that these savings could be as much as £100k for just one young person. If these figures are multiplied by the number of young people with insecure immigration status supported by the local authorities, the potential cost savings are significant.
- Young people described how they benefited from the projects, helping them to understand their rights whilst supporting them to engage in informal support networks, and access education and training opportunities.
- Crucially, the projects enabled local authorities to better meet the needs of young people with insecure immigration status under their care. Local authorities particularly valued training for professionals and carers, and support for social workers and personal advisors on individual cases.”
We are currently providing this service to the London borough of Merton, including; immigration casework and advice, training for Children’s Services teams, and consultancy on local policy and practice.
Referrals
If you are a Merton social worker, foster carer or other professional involved in supporting a child or young person in the care of Merton, please complete the below referral form and send this by email to greta@slr-a.org.uk.
We would encourage you to read the below guidelines before making a referral to better understand exactly what our Early Intervention Project can support with.
If you are working in another local authority and would like to discuss the funding the service in our area please contact maya@slr-a.org.uk.
