Overview
With the steadily increasing numbers of trafficked and other Separated Children in Scotland, and the recent changes in UK-wide policy, Scottish Local Authorities are playing a major role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of separated children. It is crucial that policy-makers and service providers fully understand these legal and support issues in order to best navigate them on the separated child’s behalf.
Course content
The duties and obligations on service providers are varied and challenging, demanding an understanding of the levels of emotional maturity and independence of each child, and a complex understanding of the legal and social pressures that they are under. This course identifies separated children to better understand where they are – and how you can help them – in their journey. We will help elevate your ability to create social, educational and support opportunities for the children to help them become fully rounded individuals.
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Recognise the legal difference between children seeking asylum, children who have been trafficked, refugees and migrants
- Grasp the impact of the events causing these young people to become separated children
- Appreciate the journeys that children have made to be in the UK including being trafficked
- Familiarise yourself with the complex UK Asylum Process and how it can impact on separated children
- Have an awareness of the more complex National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for trafficking
- Understand the Age Assessment process
- Recognise and understand the behavioural patterns they developed in order to make their journey to Scotland
- Identify the rights and entitlements of separated children
- Understand appropriate housing, education and employment options
- Be familiar with the statutory responsibilities of the Scottish Guardianship Service
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you work in a policy, strategic or decision-making position which affects Separated and Unaccompanied Children or if you are a social worker, housing provider or a foster carer and you directly engage with Separated Children.
