Fostering sanctuary seeking children
Every year between 2,000 and 3,200 unaccompanied children arrive in England as refugees or asylum seekers.
They’re mainly boys over the age of 14, typically from the Middle East, Africa and even Eastern Europe. Many are escaping war, disease or famine.
Most have witnessed distressing events or experienced extreme hardship. Some have lost their parents or wider family or don’t know if they’re still alive. Even arriving in the UK isn’t the end of their journey. They have to begin their legal process to give them the right to remain in the UK and most will have to learn a new language and adapt to an different culture.
It’s here that ACS is especially well placed to help, by finding these young people homes with caring foster parents who can ease them into a new culture and support their application for asylum.
Specialising in multi-cultural fostering, we have a wide pool of foster parents who share the language and some of the culture of these children, and who can provide safety and stability at a time of huge uncertainty. This can be a deeply rewarding experience for both the young person and foster parent.
As sanctuary seeking children have often had very traumatic experiences and are facing a long legal process, we make sure that we support you throughout. Although the child lives with you and you’re in the front-line of the work, you’ll have all of this support behind you. You’ll also have access to a wide range of training, including courses about the experiences of children coming into care.
Sanctuary seeking fostering allowances
You'll receive regular payments and allowances for all the time a child is in your care.
When you foster with us you’ll receive:
- Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- A generous financial package
- A comprehensive training programme
- Regular peer group meetings
- A calendar of events, activities and days out for you, your family and the children you care for
- Access to key local community groups and further support resources
- Regular home support visits from your personal Link Worker
- Paid respite
Could you foster a Sanctury seeking child?
You don’t need to be married to foster, or even living with a partner, we welcome people regardless of their relationship status or sexuality. All we ask is:
- You have a spare bedroom
- You are over 21 years old
- You enjoy the company of young people
- You have a sense of humour and the ability to see the positive wherever possible
