A range of research conducted with refugee families and unaccompanied children and young people document the failings of the asylum system and deep anxieties experienced by asylum seekers, refugees and support agencies about the asylum process in the UK. Although research has recognised and documented the needs of children and young people, policy responses are inadequate and contradictory. Children situated in the asylum-migration-community nexus often find themselves alone, with little support, facing harassment and bullying, housed in inappropriate accommodation for their years, some are housed in detention centres (pseudo prisons), some are facing age dispute cases, dispersal or return when they turn 18, and ultimately, a hostile asylum process. Acting on the recommendations from key research (Dennis, 2002; Refugee Council, 2002; Rutter, 2006; Lake, 2008; Lorek et al, 2009) would improve the system and enable refugee children and young people opportunities to fulfil their potential. Sadly, the UK is far from operationalising the recommendations from a rich range of research, some of which is documented later.

This chapter starts with the national context and documents the key findings from research; it then moves on to examine in more detail the experiences of children, young people and unaccompanied young people using their own voices through participatory and artsbased research, which raises themes of poverty, humiliation, relational needs and community-based support. The final section draws on the experiences of young people to make some comment on the broader social structures and processes involved, particularly in relation to the impact of globalisation, the role of western nations in the production of the world's refugees and the need for social justice linked to a recognitive theory of community for young people arriving either with families or alone.

National context

Key findings from research conducted since the 1990s show that refugee children and young people receive inadequate support from mainstream services. They have problems accessing health and education services and they experience alienation and racism. They have serious concerns about being dispersed when they turn 18, and they are subject to age disputes, bullying as well as detention. Some experience sexual maltreatment and abuse (Lay and Papadopolous, 2009).