The social care needs of unaccompanied minors: the Irish experience

Abstract

Access to the full text of the published version may require a subscription. Rights AbstractThe article examines forms of care which can be used by social workers to best respond to UAM's given their complex needs and particular vulnerability combined with their agency and resilience. The vulnerabilities and agency/resilience of UAMs are examined in the context of multiple borders (cultural, political and physical) being negotiated by these young people. While it focuses on Ireland as an example of a country where care provision for UAMs has improved considerably in recent years, it draws on both Irish and international literature. The article critically analyses the shift from hostel to foster care provision for UAM's in Ireland and explores benefits and difficulties associated with using foster care, while also discussing the use of alternative forms of care, such as residential care. We argue that social workers must always give consideration to a range of care options, to the needs of the individual child and to both their vulnerability and their resilience/agency. This is especially true given the diversity within the population of UAMs. Given the increasing numbers of refugees entering Europe and the mix of provision for unaccompanied minors across the continent, the Irish situation may represent a useful site for examination of their care.

Using the capability approach in social work with unaccompanied young adult refugees

“…Each refugee carries different life experiences which require a customised and growth-oriented process tempo adjusted to the pace of the individual (Horgan & Ní Raghallaigh, 2017; Tirions & Koning, 2014; Van Raemdonck & Seedat-Khan, 2018). We propose a reflective approach to service delivery that covers a sense of openness, transparency, respect, a reflective attitude towards own frame of reference, culturally conscious communication strategies, and continuously acknowledging clients’ multiple identities (De Bruyn, 2019; Hoffman et al., 2014; Tirions & Koning, 2014).…”

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking youth in Greece: protection, liberation and criminalisation

“…65 However, safe zones have limited places and often cannot accommodate all the UAMs of the camp, 66 such that many are placed with the adult population and lack protection, as the camps are not even properly lit at night. 67 Additionally, reports indicate that children often do not receive information about their rights either as minors or as asylum seekers. 68 Within this complex migratory reality, UAMs have become an extremely vulnerable group.…”

“…Second, this discourse downplays the value of the 'better life' motivation from a decisive factor contributing to the integration and social growth of UAMs to an invalid statement disclosing levels of aspirations that exceed their birthright-given freedoms. 21 Third, except for cases regarded as involuntary for both adult and minors (e.g. Syria or Eritrea), UAMs are regarded as safeguarded by their age alone, or as temporarily protected until proven adults.…”

Research Handbook on Child Migration

“…In addition, in most Western countries, unaccompanied minors have to negotiate not only the asylum process but also a system of care. They have to adjust to the rigours of an unfamiliar bureaucracy, to being looked after by professionals, and to living in settings which may or may not correspond to their needs (Horgan and Ní Raghallaigh, 2017).…”