Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children And Young (UASC)
As a service we are proud to support more than 200 young people - who have come to the UK as unaccompanied asylum seekers. We want to make sure that all of our unaccompanied young people feel welcome in Coventry and that they have the support to feel safe and happy here. As an unaccompanied young person, you will be entitled to the same support that is mentioned on the first page of our website - however, some of this may differ depending on your asylum status.
Our Local Offer
As an unaccompanied young person, once you become a looked after child you will be provided with a copy of our local offer and this will give you an overview of the support on offer to you. We have a specific Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child local offer, which aims to be more specific to your needs. However, what does not change is the fact that your Social Worker will work with you until you turn 18 and after which you will be supported by your Personal Adviser - who will help you in the below areas.
Your home
You will be able to access your setting up home grant until the age of 21 - if you are granted asylum. If your asylum claim is delayed you will be able to access this and other entitlements up until your 25th birthday as long as it is agreed in your pathway plan. If you are claiming asylum or appealing a refusal we will fund the cost of your accommodation up until the age of 21. Once you have been granted asylum your Personal Adviser will work closely with you to support you into a home that is right for you.
Your relationships
We want to make sure that you have a wide support network now that you are living in the UK. We want to ensure that the people around you are helpful, supportive and safe. We can complete a referral to our Lifelong Links service for you and they will support you to reconnect with significant people in your life. We will also ensure that (with your consent) you are referred to the Family Tracing service to help locate your family members. As well as this, when and where possible we will support you to spend time with any family who are living in the UK.
The immigration and asylum process
We appreciate how difficult and complicated the asylum process may be and In light of this we want to make sure that you are well supported. As mentioned above, if you are claiming asylum or appealing a refusal we will fund the cost of your accommodation up until the age of 21. You may also be entitled to a weekly allowance whilst you await the outcome of your asylum application and have no recourse to public funds (again up until the age of 21). As well as this, you will also be supported by your Personal Adviser to attend your asylum interviews and other immigration appointment.
Your finances
Once you arrive in the UK you may be able to access a one-off clothing grant of £100. This is to ensure you have sufficient clothing that is appropriate for the weather. You will also be provided with a basic smartphone when you first come into care - to ensure that you can contact people who are important to you. In addition to this, you will be able to access your other care leaver entitlements once you are granted refugee status and may also be able to claim any savings that were kept for you whilst you were in care.
Your education and employment
Upon coming into care, you will be supported to access education in your local area. We have lots of young people who are currently completing a variety of courses (including ESOL) with partner agencies such as Coventry College and the Refugee and Migrant Centre. Once you have been granted asylum your Personal Advisor will support you to explore employment and training opportunities and you may be referred to our employment panel. Once you turn 18 you will be able to access 6 months of free internet through the National Databank. You will also be supported to access any basic equipment for your education, employment and training.
Your identity
We are committed to supporting you in exploring, sharing and celebrating your identity. We will support you in purchasing religious items and will help you celebrate festivals that are important to you. This could include prayer mats and religious texts. We hold regular events for you to take part in and want you to share more about your culture - all of our young people are invited to these and it includes (but is not limited to): Newroz celebrations, Tết celebrations and Eid celebrations. In addition to this, whilst you are under the age of 21 you will be able to access a holiday allowance to help you celebrate the festival of your choice.
Your health and wellbeing
You and a guest can access free sports facilities across the city - including the Wave Gym. You will be supported to register for health services in the UK and you will have access to the 'AskJan' service which offers 24-hour wellbeing support. Additional support in this area is available through our partner agencies such as the Refugee and Migrant Centre and your Personal Adviser can support you with any referral for this.
