Arrival
Children
who migrate unaccompanied often have to tell their stories repeatedly to
different professionals and officials who are assessing their cases and
providing services. In these contexts, the child usually has to focus the
narration of their story on the bad episodes as these are considered relevant
for the asylum procedure and protection measures. Speaking about difficult
experiences again and again means that the child has to refresh and relive
possibly hurtful memories. Having to share personal and intimate details with
adults whom the child barely knows is likely to be upsetting and might provoke
feelings of anxiety, humiliation or embarrassment as well as depression or
re-victimisation.
Professionals
and officials working with and for children on the move should be sensitive to
these difficulties. When children are reluctant to tell their stories and to
disclose bad or difficult moments of their lives, this does not necessarily
mean that they are unwilling to cooperate or that they have something to hide.
Some children need time to disclose information.
It
is important that the child understands that the details of their story will be
relevant for many decisions taken in the place of arrival. These decisions will
have an impact on the child’s access to services and support, the type of
residence permit the child receives as well as the possibility of transfer or return.
Understanding the roles and mandates of different professionals and officials
they are meeting with can help the child to gain a sense of control of their
situation.
The
child may have been encouraged by third persons with vested interests to make
up a story and to fake the own identity. A child may not be aware that telling
a false story or making up some elements can undermine their credibility in the
asylum procedure. This could have a negative impact on the child’s application
for international protection or a residence status that cannot be rectified
later on. Even after repeated interview sessions with the child, professionals
and officials might still not know everything about the child and their story.
Awareness of these limitations is important. It implies that professionals and
officials working with a child need to be cautious and sensible in their actions,
decisions and conclusions about the child.
Orientations
for professionals working with unaccompanied children:
- Treat the child with
respect and be sensitive to preserving her or his dignity, though the quality
of personal relations, targeted assistance and support and a pleasant, healthy
and protective environment.
- Support the child in
gaining an understanding of the reception and protection systems in the place
of arrival, including the mandates and roles of the guardian and different
professionals and officials whom the child is going to meet with.
- Encourage the child to
be open about telling their story, even if it is difficult to go through
repeated meetings and interviews. Raise the child’s awareness about the
importance of being honest in order to maintain credibility in the asylum
procedure.
- Work closely with the
child to develop a life project, which helps to obtain clarity about goals and achievements,
obstacles and setbacks and how to deal with them, working with the
opportunities and limitations of the reception system in the country of arrival
and preparing for any transfer to another country or return.
- Consult the child to
assess the appropriate level and type of school or training and to understand
what support the child needs to succeed. Make sure that the child has access to
quality education that is appropriate to her or his aspirations and ensure the
child receives certificates of any school years or courses completed.
- Encourage and enable the
child to engage in leisure time activities, sports and recreation, individually
and together with peers.
- Talk to children about
their needs in relation to religion and spirituality.
- Invite the child gently
to recall good memories about her or his home and about the journey and to
share them with trusted persons, as they are part of the child’s identity and
can give a meaning to the child’s current situation.
- Support the child in
maintaining contact and relations with the family and community of origin, in
accordance with the best interests of the child and confidentiality rules in
the asylum procedure. Seek to mediate between any possible expectations from
home and the reality of the child’s situation in the place of arrival with all
relevant opportunities and limitations.
-
Inform the child about
the rules and regulations concerning employment of children in the country of
arrival and the relevance of age and immigration status. Talk to the child
about the risks of informal labour and, where appropriate, support the child in
finding safe and legal income generating activities that do not interfere with
the child’s schooling, health and developmental needs.
Literature:
Family and Childcare Centre
(KMOP), Defence for Children International –
Italy (2015), ‘Arrival’, in: Resiland
, Participation,
capacities and resilience of children on the move against trafficking and
exploitation, Orientations for professionals and officials working with and for
children on the move, Athens, pp. 29-43.