Special actions for groups working with young people

Know what’s out there

There’s a whole heap of resources from DVDs to teaching packs to help you run lessons and assemblies on asylum issues and give you ideas on how to help settle new arrivals in your school.

The GTCE provide a great list and you can also check out our list of faves.

Make sure that clear admission and induction procedures are in place

This will ensure that you develop positive relationships with newly-arrived families and young people from the outset. Things that would help include:

• outreach work with families
• provision of translation and interpreting assistance
• assessment of previous education, literacy in mother tongue, English language level and educational aspirations
• provision of information about teaching methods, English language support, subjects, homework, clubs and facilities to parents and young people.

Promote the involvement of parents and carers

You could try:

• encouraging them to attend parents’ meetings
• introducing new parents to other parents
• ensuring that they're aware of the role of governance bodies and the opportunities to be involved with these
• encouraging them to help plan and run events (such as trips, assemblies, celebrations, and social events)

Keep in touch with parents, carers and social workers regularly

And use translated documents and interpreters as needed. Remember that some parents and carers may not be literate or may prefer verbal communication. Ensure that parents and carers know when they can come and discuss issues with staff.

Help new arrivals make friends

Support other young people to develop the skills to welcome, befriend and help new arrivals both informally and formally through buddying or peer mentoring schemes.

Encourage young people to get involved with out-of-school-hours activities

This might include homework clubs and arts and sports clubs. Schools and colleges may be the only place that young people and their parents and carers get to hear about free sports and leisure activities in their area.

Provide family learning opportunities

Such as classes to help improve parents’ language, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

Make young people aware of campaign groups they can get involved with

Student Action for Refugees is a great network to join…

Encourage young folk to volunteer

Provide information to young people about volunteering opportunities with asylum seekers and refugees, such as peer mentoring schemes.

Get new parents together for a chin-wag

Write a welcoming message

Ask the young people you work with to write a message of welcome to asylum seekers using our ‘Welcome to Britain’ postcards.

Increase understanding through the arts

Find out about arts projects and plays, films, exhibitions and music that may increase young people’s understanding of asylum and the countries that people come from.

Music for Change, iceandfiretheatre, Company of Angels, and Global link are just some of the groups that do great work with young people. You could organise a group visit or outing for young people, invite a production to come to you, or organise a film showing or other event in collaboration with a local cinema or museum.