Support for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

An Asylum Seeker is an individual who has submitted a claim for asylum in accordance with Section 16(3) Nationality Immigration Asylum Act (NIAA) 2002 and is awaiting a determination from the Home Office.

The term Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) refers to children who arrive in the United Kingdom, seek asylum, and meet the following criteria:

• Are under the age of 18, or, in the absence of definitive proof, are assessed to be under 18;
• Are applying for asylum in their own right;
• Have no parent, legal guardian, or adult relative in the United Kingdom to assume responsibility for their care;
• May have entered the UK accompanied, but subsequently become unaccompanied and proceed to claim asylum independently.

Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) are entitled to care and protection under the relevant legislative frameworks, including:

• Children Act 1989
• Children Act 2004
• Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 (where appropriate)

UASC must be recognised and treated as children first and asylum seekers second, irrespective of their immigration status. They hold the legal status of 'Children in Care' until they reach their 18th birthday, and are entitled to the same rights, protections, and support as all other looked-after children.

As the Virtual School is responsible for promoting the educational achievement of all children looked after by the local authority, we are committed to supporting the education of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). An unaccompanied child in the care of a local authority is entitled to the same level of support as any other looked after child, including access to a safe and stable placement, appropriate care to enable their development and well-being, and the necessary support to achieve positive educational and wider outcomes.

We ensure full compliance with all statutory guidance, including those relating to Personal Education Plans (PEPs), school admissions, and the promotion of regular attendance at schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. It is recognised that some unaccompanied children may not have previously accessed formal education prior to their arrival in the UK.

Our support continues until the completion of the child’s chosen course, typically at the end of Year 13. To facilitate this, we complete termly PEPs to monitor and support their educational progress effectively.

In accordance with the entitlements afforded to all children looked after, all Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) in Year 11 or below (up to the age of 16) are eligible to receive the Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) grant.

Dudley Virtual School is committed to ensuring that Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) receive comprehensive educational support. As part of our provision, we offer the following services:

• Access to Technology: Laptops can be provided to UASC where a need is identified, to support their learning and engagement with education.
• Language Support: All UASC are enrolled onto Flash Academy to assist with English as an Additional Language (EAL) acquisition.
• Support for Designated Teachers: We assist Designated Teachers in identifying and sourcing appropriate EAL resources to support effective classroom teaching.
• Online Tutoring: Dudley Virtual School has partnered with Prospero Teaching to provide an online EAL tutoring package. Sessions take place during school hours and are tailored to individual needs.
• Functional Skills Support: Where appropriate, we support schools in offering Functional Skills courses in English and Mathematics, to ensure students have access to a suitable curriculum.
• Post-16 Transition: We support the transition of UASC from school to Post-16 education or training, ensuring continuity and progression.
• Post-16 Study Support: Guidance is provided on how to access and enrol on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses at local colleges.
• Mentoring Services: We work in partnership with the National Refugee Council, which offers a free mentoring service for young people, matching them with mentors who speak their first language. (Referral form available at: https://www.reuk.org/)
• Counselling Provision: We collaborate with New Citizens Gateway to provide up to twelve weekly counselling sessions free of charge for young people who require emotional support. (Referral form available at: https://www.ncgateway.org.uk/)
• Interpreter Support: Dudley Virtual School works closely with social workers to ensure that qualified interpreters are arranged when required, to support communication and access to services.

Dudley Virtual School works collaboratively with social workers and a range of professionals to ensure that appropriate educational provision is identified and secured for each child. This multi-disciplinary approach includes close cooperation with social care services, carers, West Midlands Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, and the West Midlands Strategic ESOL Forum.

As with all looked-after children, UASC are considered a vulnerable group. They may be particularly at risk of radicalisation, trafficking, or child sexual exploitation. Staff in schools and colleges play a crucial role in safeguarding these young people, as they are often well-placed to identify early signs of concern and to take preventative action.

Additionally, some UASC may be at increased risk of absconding. To mitigate this risk, educational institutions are encouraged to work in close partnership with housing providers and social care teams to ensure a coordinated and proactive response.