About fostering refugee children

Who are refugees?



Who are migrants?

A ‘migrant’ is someone who travels from one country to another in to find better work or living conditions. All local authorities have a legal duty to care for a migrant who is under 18, on arrival in the UK. Children without their parents need to be fostered.

Who are asylum seekers?

In the UK an ‘asylum seeker’ means a migrant who has or intends to go through the legal process to apply to be in the country because they say they’re facing harassment due to their race, religion, nationality, political belief, or membership of a particular social group.

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC)

An unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC) is not in his or her country of origin, under 18 years of age, and unaccompanied by a close relative when travelling to the UK.

The majority of asylum seekers are living in poverty and experience poor health and hunger.
Young people and children seeking asylum are most often motivated learners, who make a positive contribution to their school.
The UK does not let in more than its ‘fair share’ of asylum seekers.

Types of fostering
Fostering placements are needed for children and young people seeking asylum, where they can feel safe and begin to build a new life for themselves.

Fostering Agencies are looking for foster carers who can provide a stable foster home and lots of support and encouragement to help these children and young people to feel safe and secure.

Carers with similar background
Youngsters do well when they are placed with a foster carer of the same language, religion and culture.

Who can foster unaccompanied asylum seekers?

You would often need to:

  • speak another language
  • speak English to a certain level
  • have indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom
  • have been resident in the United Kingdom for more than five years

Fostering checks
The same fostering assessment and checks are required to become a foster carer for asylum seeking children as any other child or young person.

Fostering Refugee UK Application Service

If you complete our contact form below you will be contacted by your local private fostering agencies on our database who provide foster carers to care for refugee children on behalf of local authorities.

(Definitions are not legally explicit)

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