With the current continuing unrest and expected protests, we are aware of the impact this may be having on care experienced young people – Particularly on separated young people, young people from ethnic minorities & those at risk of getting involved.

Ideas to consider to support separated young people & young people from ethnic minority
groups:

• Reach out regularly to check in with these young people & remind them of the support
  available
• Actively support young people to leave their houses and be in their community, through
  going shopping together/ going on a walk etc.
• Talk through practical safety planning including:
  a. What to do if they feel unsafe in their home
  b. Who to do if they come across a protest
  c. What to do if they are racially abused
  d. Safe people in their community/people to call
  e. When to call helplines/police etc.- See below.
• Consider (when appropriate) – Could you do a BBQ/get-together – consider inviting
  senior council members, (non-uniform) members of the police, leaders from local
  refugee organisations to show the support the young people have.
• Where separated young people are struggling, reach out to established community
  groups who may be able to support young people from particular countries Eg. Liverpool
  Pakistan Association etc.
• Connect with Police and local refugee organisations, to ensure they are aware around
  Separated young people you are supporting, so you receive appropriate local
  intelligence.
  
• Supporting young people who are at risk of getting involved
  We recognise that some of the young people we support are at risk of getting involved in the
  current unrest & being recruited to the far-right English Defence League and other similar
  groups. Actions to consider:
• Check-in and spend time with young people you are concerned about, discuss the current
  situation & impact this is having on communities, and challenge assumptions. Young
  People & Extremism – A Resource pack for youth workers & Shout Out UK’s video
  
  Resources on countering disinformation & promoting political/media literacy among
  young people may be useful.
• Encourage engagement with positive activities over the next few weeks.
• Consider Prevent and safeguarding procedures where there are concerns.
  
• Reporting Hate Crime information:
• As always If you have witnessed or experienced a hate crime of any kind, you can report it
  immediately by speaking to an officer or contacting police via 101.
• In an emergency always dial 999.
• Report anonymously: Giving information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppersuk.org)
• Tell Mama – Report anti-muslim hate or Islamaphobia
  
• Links to organisations supporting separated young people:
• Young Refugees & Migrants | The Children’s Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)
• How to support refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people who have
  experienced trauma – UK Trauma Council
• Supporting refugee children | Resources | YoungMinds
• Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Support Service (IUSS) –
  Refugee Council
• Asylum services | Migrant Help (migranthelpuk.org)
  
• 7th August 2024
  National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum
  [email protected]