About Young Unaccompanied
Asylum Seeking Children

Lisa's Story

Lisa, 16, from Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived in the UK in September 2004. She was sent to a local authority. The local authority decided to age-dispute Lisa and sent her to the Refugee Council, where she was given the opportunity to challenge that decision. Lisa could not rationalise the reason why her age suddenly became so important, as in her country age is often irrelevant: birthdays are not really celebrated, and as the elder child she is required to be mature in order to care for her siblings. During this challenge from social services, Lisa was accommodated in a hotel with other minors in her situation. Lisa recalls that period as being challenging: dirty accomodation, which provoked a skin allergy, she had to share facilities such as bathroom and toilets with boys, which she found very difficult. On an emotional ground, Lisa felt isolated as she had just experienced separation from family and mother. She says, “it was the first time I had to live on my own, with no support; I still feel extremely sad because of what happened in my country and I couldn’t understand why people did not believe my age. I just needed someone to take care of me”. After two months of advocacy and challenge of procedures, Lisa was re-assessed and accepted by the local authority. When questioned about what helped or could have helped her to face that difficult period, Lisa mentioned that a structured environment would have fostered her well-being and development.

Lisa’s story is sadly not an exception. Many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) have to go through similar procedures and are left to their own devices. In 2003, unaccompanied minors were estimated at 8,500 in the UK, the majority aged between 16 and 17.

Ideally, those under the age of 16 are placed in foster care whereas the ones over 16 ought to be placed in semi-independent or residential accommodation. In reality, most of UASC over 16 are placed in unsuitable accommodation such as bed and breakfast or hostels. Adults often occupy these types of accommodation, which are overcrowded and often lack basic hygiene. Children rapidly feel unsafe and isolated. These factors place these children in a very vulnerable situation: they are minors having to fend for themselves, without emotional and/or material support networks in a unknown environment while having to deal with traumatic experiences and the uncertainty of their future in the UK.
The Anchor Project provides a dynamic structure guiding youngsters to find their own landmark in British society without having to alienate their cultural heritage and identity. The Anchor Project is about rebuilding social networks and working towards a more inclusive and tolerant society.