An early intervention framework for the emotional health and well-being of unaccompanied minors

Abstract

Disturbed sleep patterns, semi-starvation symptoms, loss of hope, and trauma symptomatology are often co-occurring clinical concerns for professionals working with unaccompanied minors. Delivering mental health treatment in such a context can be extremely challenging owing to the complexity of this multiple presentation. The early intervention framework described in this chapter provides an innovative model of clinical work with unaccompanied minors who have experienced, and continue to experience, ongoing traumas. This intervention is distinct in that its focus is on developing and embedding a framework of competencies that can inform practice among different professionals involved. The chapter delineates four main interventions that are tools aimed to promote young people’s resilience and well-being.

Fast Feet Forward: A sports group for looked‐after children and unaccompanied asylum‐seeking children as an early intervention to process trauma and reduce distress

“…It has been suggested that specialist interventions sensitive to the needs of UASC should be provided in the local area (NICE, 2021) and group approaches used in this population may be normalising and experienced as supportive (Said et al, 2019). Draper and Marcellino (2020) have reported the necessity of developing a sense of safety, stability and trust across the services involved to meet these young people's needs. The authors also reported that these young people should receive integrated early interventions due to the mosaic of needs they present with.…”