Supporting Separated Children Seeking Asylum

Cornwall has become responsible for the care of a growing number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from different countries. These young people have arrived in the UK alone seeking safety and refuge, the youngest to arrive in Cornwall has been 13 years old. They have often been separated from their parents or carers and are therefore alone when seeking asylum. Most are fleeing persecution, war, famine and abuse in their home countries. These young people have all made a journey of several months alone to reach the UK.

They have arrived through the National Transfer Scheme. Under this Home Office scheme, all local authorities now have to offer care and accommodation to separated children seeking asylum since November 2021.

Carefree offers two services to asylum seeking young people. We have a team of Support Workers who meet young people as they arrive in Cornwall. This team help young people to settle into their new community, including support with accessing appropriate health, legal and language services, as well as helping them to engage with education. These workers work intensively with young people over their first few months in Cornwall.

Carefree’s Welcome Project also offers opportunities for young people to attend groups and activities with other separated children seeking asylum. These activities include sports, nature and wellbeing sessions. We also provide opportunities for young people to share some of their culture through cooking and art.

Carefree Cookbook

In one of our cooking groups, our separated children seeking asylum created their very own cookbook of food that they made during the group.

Click to view

Cookbook