Care leavers with immigration needs

Immigration and asylum processes can be difficult to understand.

We will help you access independent legal advice and make sure you know who is supporting you with your immigration case.

Your Personal Adviser can help you:

• Understand your immigration status
• Keep important documents safe
• Prepare for appointments with solicitors and immigration advisers
• Understand decisions and next steps
• Access advocacy and additional support when needed

If your immigration status changes, we will help you understand how this affects your education, housing, financial support and future plans.

Having photo identification can help you access services, open a bank account, apply for work or college, and prove who you are.

If you have refugee status, humanitarian protection, or are seeking asylum, your Personal Adviser will support you to ensure you have appropriate identification. This may include helping you obtain or use your Application Registration Card (ARC) if you are seeking asylum, and supporting applications for other forms of photo identification once you become eligible, such as:

• An ARC card (for young people seeking asylum)
• A provisional driving licence
• A travel document when you turn 18
• Other accepted forms of identification

The cost of obtaining your first photo ID will be covered through your entitlement where applicable. Your Personal Adviser will talk to you about what identification you need, support you through the application process, and help you understand how to use your identification to access services and opportunities.

If you do not have immigration status yet and are going through an appeal process, the Leaving Care Team can continue to support you until your 25th birthday.

You can choose to stop working with us at any time. If you do, you can contact us again before you turn 25 and ask for support when you need it.

Our aim is to support you to become confident, healthy, connected to your community, and independent. We will also make sure you know where to go for help and advice whenever you need it.

When you first arrive in the UK, you may receive £200 to help you buy clothes. This is to make sure you have clothing that is suitable for the weather and your everyday needs. You will also receive extra money during the year to help you buy seasonal clothing.

When you come into care, you will be given a basic smartphone. This will help you stay in contact with people who are important to you and access support, information, and services.

If you are under 18, or if you are over 18 and have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), we will give you a weekly allowance to help pay for your everyday needs. Your Personal Adviser will explain how this works and make sure you get the support you are entitled to.

If you are granted refugee status or another immigration status that allows you to access public funds, you may be able to receive additional financial support available to care leavers.

You may also have money that was saved for you while you were in care. Your Personal Adviser can help you find out if you have savings and explain when and how you can access them.

If you are not sure what financial support is available to you, speak to your Personal Adviser. They can:

• Explain what financial support you can receive.
• Help you understand your options.
• Support you to manage your money.
• Help you create and follow a budget.

We want to make sure you have the financial support and advice you need to help you become independent.

Some young people may have immigration conditions that mean they cannot access certain benefits or public funds.

This is known as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

If this applies to you, we will:

• explain what this means
• help you understand your rights and entitlements
• support you access accommodation
• assess your individual circumstances
• help you access legal advice
• work with other agencies to identify what support is available

We understand that immigration issues can be stressful and confusing. We will support you to understand your options and plan for the future. The statutory guidance recognises that some former UASC may be unable to access benefits because of immigration conditions and should receive support tailored to their individual circumstances.

Depending on your age, previous education and immigration status, you may be able to access:

• ESOL programmes
• GCSEs and Functional Skills qualifications
• Foundation learning programmes
• Vocational and technical courses
• Digital skills training
• Work-readiness programmes
• College and sixth-form courses
• Supported internships and traineeships

We can help you:

• Choose the right course
• Complete applications
• Attend enrolment appointments
• Access bursaries and financial support
• Access equipment, travel support and study resources where available

We believe every young person should have the opportunity to learn, develop new skills and achieve their ambitions.

We understand that many young people seeking asylum may have experienced interruptions to their education, may be learning English for the first time, or may not be familiar with the education system in England.

We will help you understand your options and access the right support.

We will help you prepare for employment and understand what opportunities are available to you.

This may include:

• careers advice and guidance
• CV writing and job applications
• interview preparation
• work experience opportunities
• apprenticeships and training programmes
• help understanding employment rights

Where immigration rules affect access to work, we will help you access specialist advice so you understand your options. The local authority will support eligible young people to understand education and employment opportunities available to them.

If English is not your first language, we can help you access ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses.

ESOL courses can help you:

• Improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills
• Build confidence using English in everyday life
• Prepare for work, apprenticeships or further study
• Understand services in the UK
• Meet new people and feel more connected to your community

Your Personal Adviser can help you find an ESOL course that matches your current level of English and your future goals.

If university is something you would like to do, we can help you explore your options.

This may include support with:

• Researching courses
• UCAS applications
• Personal statements
• Student finance enquiries
• Scholarships and bursaries
• Accommodation and living arrangements
• Ongoing support during your studies

We will help you understand your housing options and support you to develop the skills needed to live independently.

Support may include:

• finding suitable accommodation
• understanding tenancy agreements
• managing bills and budgeting
• setting up your home
• accessing furniture and household items
• staying safe in your local area

Your Personal Adviser will continue to support you as you settle into independent living.

Having people who care about you and feeling part of a community are important for your wellbeing.

Many young people arriving in the UK alone can feel isolated and miss family, friends, language, culture and familiar ways of life.

We will help you build positive relationships and feel connected.

This may include:

• community groups
• cultural organisations
• faith communities
• sports and leisure activities
• volunteering opportunities
• care leaver activities and events

We want you to develop supportive relationships, build confidence, make friends and feel a sense of belonging in your community.

Reconnecting with family

If you have lost touch with a family member, the British Red Cross may be able to help you find and reconnect with them through its Family Tracing Service. Visit Find missing family | Family Tracing | British Red Cross.

Your health and wellbeing matter.

Some young people seeking asylum have experienced difficult life events or traumatic experiences. These experiences can affect how you feel, cope with change, trust others or manage stress.

You do not have to deal with this alone.

We can help you access:

• GP and dental services
• mental health and emotional wellbeing support
• therapeutic services
• trauma-informed support
• specialist services where needed
• health assessments and advice
• interpreting services during appointments

We will work with you at your pace and help you access support when you are ready.