Refugee Council

The Refugee Council’s Children’s Panel provides advice and support to separated (unaccompanied) children and young people seeking asylum. The Children’s Panel is funded by the Home Office but we are a fully independent organisation and provide independent advice.

The Children's Advisor, can offer:

• Advice about the asylum process and related matters to separated children and professionals involved. All Children’s Advisors are registered with the IAA (formerly OISC) at Level 1.

• Advocacy for the young person in the form of acting as appropriate/responsible adult during meetings and interviews (e.g LAC reviews, Home office interviews, age assessments).

• Referrals to other services (e.g immigrations/welfare solicitors, Red Cross family tracing, social clubs).

• A means of linking up different professionals involved in the care and support of separated asylum seeking children and young people.

How to access:

Make a referral through the helpline - 0207 346 1134

Young people can contact the freephone helpline 0808 175 3499 or message via Whatsapp 07888 866 615

Paper referral form available for professionals on request.

Infoline is a source of information and support for people seeking asylum.

What is this service? Our team can provide information and support on many topics, including:

• Services who offer help and what they do

• How to find out about the asylum system

• How to find immigration advice

• Getting Home Office housing and financial support (asylum support)

• Problems with Home Office housing and financial support

• What to do if you are asked to leave Home Office accommodation

• Your rights and entitlements

Who can use this service:

• Adults seeking asylum in England
• Adults living in Home Office accommodation in England who have received a decision on their asylum claim.

How to access:

Please call us or use the contact form via: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/get-help/infoline/

My View is a talking therapy service aiming to stabilise and improve the psychological and emotional well-being of separated asylum-seeking children.

What we offer:

• Up to 8-12 one to one therapy sessions - face to face or remote.

• Psycho-social groups

• Creative Wellbeing Techniques

• Psychoeducational workshops for clients upon request (i.e. sleep hygiene, trauma, drug awareness)

• One off 3 crisis sessions

• Workshops for social workers, foster carers, teachers, mental health services and other mainstream service providers (upon request, within our strategic areas) to raise awareness regarding the specific needs of young refugees.

• We can offer support in remote locations

How to access:

Referrals via the form on our website.