For some children and young people, arriving in the UK marks the start of a new chapter after an unimaginably difficult journey. They may have left their home country because of conflict, persecution, violence, exploitation or other life-threatening circumstances. Some arrive without a parent, guardian or trusted adult to care for them.
These children are often described as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, or children seeking sanctuary. They are first and foremost children and young people who need stability, safety and someone they can trust.
Fostering can provide a vital sense of home at a time when so much else may feel unfamiliar.
What does “seeking sanctuary” mean?
A child seeking sanctuary has arrived in the UK and is asking for protection because returning to their home country may not be safe.
They may have been separated from their parents during a journey, lost contact with family members, or travelled alone because there was no safe alternative. Their experiences before and during their journey can vary enormously.
Some children may have lived through war or conflict. Others may have experienced persecution because of their religion, ethnicity, political beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation. Some may have been affected by forced marriage, trafficking, exploitation or modern slavery.
It is important not to make assumptions about any child’s journey. Every child has their own history, identity, strengths, hopes and needs.
Why do these children need foster care?
When a child arrives in the UK without a parent or legal guardian, the local authority has a duty to assess their needs and arrange appropriate care.
For younger children, foster care can provide the stability, structure and nurturing environment they need. Older teenagers may also benefit from a foster home, particularly when they need the security of trusted adults and a sense of belonging while settling into a new life.
A foster carer can offer more than accommodation. They can offer the everyday things that help a young person feel safe: a warm meal, a place to sleep, help finding their way around, someone to listen and encouragement to look forward.
For a child who may have had to grow up too quickly, this care can be life-changing.
The challenges children may face
Starting again in a new country can be overwhelming for anyone. For a child or young person arriving alone, the challenges can be even greater.
They may be coping with:
- Separation from parents, siblings, friends and familiar communities
- Grief, loss, trauma or uncertainty about family members
- Learning English and adjusting to a new education system
- Understanding a different culture, community and way of life
- Navigating appointments, assessments and immigration processes
- Worries about their future and whether they will be able to remain in the UK
- Experiences of prejudice, discrimination or isolation
Some children will want to talk about their experiences quickly. Others may need a great deal of time before they feel able to share. A foster carer’s role is not to force conversations or have all the answers. It is to provide patient, dependable care and work with the professionals around the child.
What does a foster carer’s role involve?
Fostering a child seeking sanctuary requires empathy, patience and a willingness to learn.
As with any fostering placement, carers provide a safe and nurturing home, establish routines, support education and encourage a child’s wellbeing. They also work closely with social workers, schools, health professionals and other support services.
For children seeking sanctuary, foster carers may additionally help them to:
- Register with a GP, dentist and other health services
- Access school, college, English-language learning or training
- Attend appointments and understand important information
- Build confidence using public transport and navigating their local area
- Maintain safe links with family, where possible and appropriate
- Find local cultural, religious, community or sporting groups
- Celebrate their culture, language, food and faith
- Feel part of family life while respecting their individuality and identity
The goal is not to expect a young person to leave their culture behind. It is to help them feel safe and included while honouring who they are and where they have come from.
You do not need to be perfect
People sometimes worry that they would not know enough about a young person’s country, culture or faith to foster a child seeking sanctuary.
You do not need to be an expert before you begin. What matters is being respectful, open-minded and prepared to listen and learn.
A good foster carer is willing to ask thoughtful questions, seek advice and recognise that a child is the expert in their own experience. Small actions can make a significant difference: learning how to pronounce a child’s name correctly, asking about foods they enjoy, supporting their faith practices or helping them stay connected to a community.
Most importantly, young people need to know that they are valued and that someone is consistently there for them.
Supporting wellbeing and recovery
Children who have experienced loss, trauma or displacement may need additional support with their emotional wellbeing.
Foster carers play an important role in helping a young person feel secure, but they are not expected to manage everything alone. Fostering is a team effort, and carers work alongside professionals to ensure each child receives appropriate support.
At Lotus Foster Care, we lead with compassion and care. Our values of guidance, integrity, community and trust shape our approach, helping children and young people feel safe, respected and cared about.
The agency’s published Ofsted feedback also highlights the focus on children’s safety and wellbeing, secure attachments, and strong support and supervision for foster carers.
Could this be right for you?
You may be able to make a real difference if you can offer a spare bedroom, a stable home and the time to support a child or young person.
It is particularly important that carers considering this type of placement can be patient with uncertainty, work constructively with professionals and remain open to learning about a young person’s cultural, linguistic and emotional needs.
Fostering is about helping a child feel safe enough to settle, grow and begin to imagine a positive future.
If you are interested in fostering and would like to discuss the types of placements Lotus Foster Care supports, the team can answer your questions and help you understand the assessment process.
Contact Lotus Foster Care today for an informal, no-obligation conversation about fostering.