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Research demonstrates the important role of refugees and asylum seekers' social networks in providing both the practical and emotional support necessary to mitigate social exclusion and promote integration within receiving societies. Based on research conducted by the National Evaluation of the Children's Fund, we highlight the barriers to network building for refugee and asylum seeking children and families, and the ways in which Children's Fund strategies and practices are tackling these. Using the ‘Indicators of Integration Framework’ developed by Ager and Strang (2004), we describe the activity of Children's Fund services in relation to the concepts social bonds, social links and social bridges. Such attempts to reduce social exclusion are seen to have limited effectiveness when framed by a government policy context favouring the development of social bridges at the expense of social links and bonds.

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Numerous reviews of UK policy and practice have criticised the provision of support to children and young people seeking asylum. Recent research and policy analysis present a dual failure in the current response: that of the immigration system in recognising and responding to specific needs; and that of statutory services in applying key legislation relating to rights, entitlements and subsequent provision. In combination, this illustrates a system that is at all times in tension between ideas of control and protection of these vulnerable young people, and ultimately therefore fails to safeguard.Recent changes to government policy, the legislative framework and practice guidance governing such provision suggest that such failings may have been recognised but much work remains to be done to implement these changes effectively. Furthermore, these changes are occurring in a period of significant instability in public service provision, resulting from the severe cuts to public funding outlined in the UK Government's 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review (HM Treasury, 2010). It is therefore timely to review current policy and practice related to children and young people seeking asylum in the UK so as to address past failings and fully realise the stated commitment to ensure a young person's 'best interests' are fully considered in any immigration decision.

This paper will look at new practice learning opportunities developed between the University of Birmingham and the West Midlands Police and Probation Services. The project was designed to expand placements in the West Midlands, to address in particular the short fall of final year placements and to offer students interested in the area of criminal justice and protection of vulnerable people the chance to have a different type of practice experience.This paper aims to share the learning gained through an evaluation of the first year of this partnership (2009)(2010). The paper will provide an overview of the scheme, outline the process of evaluation and will consider the learning gained from the police and probation schemes separately. The paper will draw on feedback gained through discussions in focus groups and questionnaires completed by work base supervisors, specialist social work practice assessors, practice tutors and students in each setting. The strengths and weaknesses of both schemes will be considered as will lessons for improving and building on the project for future years. The paper will also address questions about the relevance of working with non-traditional agencies particularly in light of the new statutory definition relating to final year social work placements.

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