Providing care, protection and support to some of the most vulnerable young people arriving in Northern Ireland, the South Eastern Trust’s Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’s Team is helping young people seeking asylum to feel safe, settled and supported as they begin to rebuild their lives.
The Specialist Team works with children and young people who have arrived in Northern Ireland without a parent or guardian after fleeing conflict, persecution or other traumatic circumstances. Working alongside partner organisations, the Team ensures each young person receives the care, safeguarding, education and practical support they need to adapt to a new environment and build a brighter future.
Having made Northern Ireland her home this year, Aisha described how she has settled into life here, “It was hard for me at the beginning. This was a new country, a new culture and you are all alone.”
South Eastern Trust, Social Worker Franz Kavanagh explained how the Team works to support a young person seeking asylum from the moment they arrive in Northern Ireland.
Franz explained, “Coming from a Social Work background, joining this Team has been a real eye opener. Many of the young people we meet have experienced significant trauma and arrive feeling frightened and uncertain about what lies ahead.
“It is fantastic that this Team are here to support these young people at such a vulnerable stage in their young lives. The resilience these young people show is really amazing, it is enlightening and it motivates me. This service is vital for young people to start a new life.”
South Eastern Trust, Principal Social Worker, Cathy McAlinden shared how the Team were acknowledged by South Eastern Trust Chairman, Jonathan Patton, for their efforts in ensuring young people were protected during the recent anti-immigrant riots which broke out across areas of Belfast in June with certificates presented during a breakfast morning held at the Ulster Hospital.
Cathy said, “During the recent riots, we were able to move young people to a secure location. We had to put our own Social Workers and Personal Advisors into some of those difficult situations to help our young people and to get them to a place of safety. The Team and our young people really bonded and in a way, something really positive came out of something quite negative.
“These young people have to build a relationship with our Social Workers, they are having to trust them so that they tell their story. We see those relationships really blossom, really grow. Our Social Workers are really passionate that our young people achieve the best that they possibly can.”
Aisha highlighted the difference the Team has made to her life, “Franz is my Social Worker and he has had a big impact on my life. He has showed me kindness and he works from his heart. He has tried to make things easier for me. He has been amazing.”