Support for Refugees

Here is a brief guide for talking to children and young people about War from Save the Children:

1. Make time and listen

Give children the space to talk when they want to - even if you're in the middle of something else. Encourage them to tell you what they know, how they feel and to ask you questions.

2. Tailor the conversation to the child

Older children will need more details while younger ones may be satisfied just by understanding that sometimes our countries fight. Be informed, keep calm and answer questions honestly. Begin with simple information - too much detail may overwhelm and cause anxiety.

3. Validate their feelings

Speak to the child about how they feel. It is important that children feel supported in the conversation. They should not feel judged or have their concerns dismissed. When children have the chance to have an open conversation about things upsetting them, they can feel relieved.

4. Reassure them

Remind them that this is not their problem to solve. Adults all over the world are working hard to fix this. Older children and young people may be sceptical about this - be specific about who might help. They shouldn't feel guilty playing, seeing their friends and doing the things that make them feel happy.

5. Give them a practical way to help 

For example, they could start fundraisers, write letters to local decision-makers or create drawings for peace. Children who have the opportunity to help can feel like they are part of the solution instead of feeling helpless.

Talking to children and young people about war in Ukraine - edpsy.org.uk

Supporting Children managing anxiety over war, conflict and crises

How to talk to children about war | Save the Children UK

How to talk to kids when the news is scary 

Talking about war with little ones - 'listen properly and never lie' says expert

The news sucks. Here’s how to help kids deal with it 

UKTC - UK Trauma Council

Social Story about War in Ukraine 

UNICEF - Talking to children about conflict and war 

Widgit Refugee Support Pack - Helping Refugees Communicate

The Refugee support pack contains a range of symbol-supported communication charts and useful resources that can be used by anyone to help refugees convey health information, urgent needs and requirement. The pack can be accessed here: Widgit Ukrainian-English Support Pack 

The pack will provide refugees with the essential language to allow them to communicate at a basic level whilst also telling their story. For further information you can access the Widgit site here. 

York Education has produced a bank of helpful resources for supporting schools with welcoming refugees. Resources can be accessed by clicking here and include:

• An e-module produced for schools and settings for supporting Ukrainian refugees.

• A booklist, signposting to dual language Ukrainian-English books that can be purchased in the UK

• A mind map with some considerations for supporting refugees and asylum seekers

• A series of leaflets that can be shared with young people and adults. The leaflets are available in both English and Ukrainian.

The Bell Foundation have produced a number of blog posts related to schools welcoming refugee children. Blog posts 1 and 2 can be accessed via the links below:

Welcoming Refugee Children: Advice and Guidance for Schools 1

Welcoming Refugee Children: Advice and Guidance for Schools 2

Wellbeing Resources

Many asylum seekers and refugees will experience traumatic events and losses. This may include exposure to violence  and separation from loved ones. Research shows that children seeking asylum experience a range of mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, self-harm and behaviour problems (UK Trauma Council). 

The links to the resources below are aimed to support the wellbeing of children and young people seeking asylum or living as refugees:

• UK Trauma Council guidance on supporting refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people who have experienced trauma How to support refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people who have experienced trauma - UKTC (uktraumacouncil.org)
  
  

• A free stress management guide for coping with adversity from World Health Organisation. It has been translated into 19 languages. Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (who.int)
  
  

• Further information on Refugee Trauma Refugee Trauma | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)
  
  

• University of East London have compiled a variety of websites and resources aimed to support the mental health and wellbeing of refugees and asylum seeking children Mental Health Resources | University of East London (uel.ac.uk)  
  
  

• East Lothian's Mental Health and Wellbeing site provides information, advice and signposting to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
  
  

• East Lothian's Bereavement, Loss and Grief site provides information, advice and signposting to help schools best support children and young people experiencing bereavement, loss and grief.