While the Stop the Boats campaign, targeted at preventing ‘illegal’ migration to the UK, went down with the Conservatives government, the incoming Labour administration has asserted its commitment to tackle the network of criminal gangs facilitating the movement of people on small boats to the UK.
Many of these passengers are migrant children, without a parent or guardian, who arrive in the UK without any care arrangements in place. Known as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), local authority social work teams take responsibility for their care and support. They now account for around 9 per cent of the overall number of children in the care of local authorities in England.
With wars raging around the world, climate change and poverty, this reflects broader global trends of displacement – over 117 million people worldwide were displaced by the end of 2023 with numbers continuing to increase. The end of forced migration therefore seems unlikely. Against a backdrop of right-wing moral panics and increasingly restrictive immigration policies that challenge the rights and dignity of these vulnerable individuals, social workers are caught in a complex web of asylum, immigration and welfare dynamics and tasked with navigating the conflicting imperatives of care and control. How can practitioners manage this delicate balance while remaining committed to their ethical responsibilities?
As social workers engage with UASC, they are tasked with balancing their professional values rooted in care and welfare principles with a legislative and policy climate that increasingly prioritises control. The rhetoric that frames asylum seekers as ‘bogus’ or unworthy leads to a culture of disbelief that can affect the treatment of these young people.
Particular tension can arise for local authorities in managing the insufficient allocation of resources. This is most evident in the referral process for new arrivals, when acceptance can be based on perceived age, and prejudicial attitudes can impact gatekeeping. For young people who are age assessed, judgements can be superficial and based on partial analysis of the evidence rather than on a nuanced understanding of individual circumstances, leading to refusal of services and at worst, children being moved to adult accommodation. Ending support based on immigration status further complicates the scenario. Once young people exhaust their appeal rights, funding stops, leaving them vulnerable and often without the support they desperately need.
We have gained valuable insights into the motivations and experiences of social workers and personal advisors working with UASC. Many expressed a deep commitment to their roles, often citing lived experiences or cultural backgrounds that inform their practice. Despite the challenges, over half of the practitioners reported a profound sense of satisfaction in their work, underscoring their dedication to supporting young people amid adversity.
Social workers also reflected on the tensions associated with ‘control-oriented’ aspects of their work, finding themselves in the uncomfortable position of acting as agents of a system that may prioritise immigration legislation over the wellbeing of the children they are meant to protect.
Given the tension between care and control, practitioners have developed several coping strategies to navigate their roles effectively:
- Emotional distancing: Some social workers use emotional distancing as a way to manage the personal impact of their work. By presenting information in a straightforward matter-of-fact manner, they can help contain the emotional turmoil often experienced by young people, thereby preserving their own mental wellbeing.
- Realistic conversations: Engaging UASC in open discussions about their situations helps them prepare for the realities they may face. These conversations allow social workers to plant seeds of clarity about complex and often distressing issues.
- Empathy and personal connection: High levels of empathy are evident among personal advisors working with young people during their early adulthood, many of whom draw on their own experiences to relate to the struggles of young people. This personal connection can enhance communication and trust.
- Community support: Recognising the agency and at times resilience of UASC, practitioners encourage young people to seek support within their communities, reinforcing the idea that they are not alone in their struggles and providing a safety net if local authority support ends.
- Resistance to systemic issues: Some practitioners engage in acts of resistance against harmful policies, advocating the rights of UASC and encouraging them to challenge injustices within the system. This includes maintaining contact with young people even after formal support ends, demonstrating a commitment to their ongoing wellbeing.
- Coping with powerlessness: Acknowledging feelings of helplessness, many practitioners strive to be a source of support and kindness for young people facing overwhelming challenges. This emotional labour is essential for maintaining a compassionate practice, but this can come at a cost and workers need their own supports to deal with this demand.
- Burnout awareness: The potential for burnout is a constant concern for experienced workers. Recognising the signs of emotional exhaustion, they emphasise the importance of self-care and maintaining a balance in their practice.
The landscape for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK is fraught with challenges exacerbated by right-wing political rhetoric and restrictive policies. Though the challenge of balancing statutory responsibilities with a commitment to promoting human rights, welfare and anti-oppressive practice, the current political and legislative climate means working in the space is particularly challenging.
Despite the pressures they face, the dedication and compassion exhibited by many practitioners offer hope for the future. By employing a range of strategies to resist systemic injustices, they can create a supportive environment for UASC, challenging the dominant narratives that seek to marginalise them. The findings from our research illuminate not only the complexities of social work in this area but also the profound impact that compassion and commitment can have in transforming the lives of those most vulnerable.
Dr Deborah Hadwin is a social work academic at the University of Birmingham and a registered social worker. Gurnam Singh is an activist researcher, educator and journalist dedicated to exposing and challenging systems of power, privilege and violence.
Social work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people: resisting the rhetoric by Deborah Hadwin and Gurnam Singh is available to read open access on Bristol University Press Digital here.
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