There are three care leaver teams who work exclusively with asylum experienced care leavers over the age of 18. On this page, we have included information about the asylum process for asylum experienced young people as we know that many of our care leavers are over the age of 17 when they arrive in the UK and may not have had their asylum status confirmed before they move across to the service.
Page contents
- The asylum process
- Financial support
- Education, employment and training
- Identification documents (ID)
- Support networks and services
The asylum process
Usually, by the time you are 18 and ready to transfer to the Care Leavers' Service (CLS), you will already have had an appointment with the Home Office.
If you are under 18, your social worker will help you make an appointment with the Home Office. This will involve a series of interviews where you have an opportunity to tell your story in detail, we will support you with this and help you to find a solicitor who can assist with your asylum claim and give you legal advice. Your social worker and personal adviser (PA) cannot give legal advice so you will need a solicitor to help you to complete any paperwork that is needed.
After the interview, the Home Office will decide on your asylum application. This can take many months and is different for each person. The possible outcomes are:
- Granted asylum: You will be allowed to stay in the UK as a refugee, under Humanitarian protection or with another form of Discretionary Leave.
- Refused asylum but given leave to remain: You might not get refugee status, but you could still be allowed to stay for a certain period. This can usually be challenged.
- Refused asylum: If your application is refused, you will likely have the right to appeal this decision. This will be explained in the refusal letter from the Home Office.
If your request for asylum is denied, you can usually ask for the decision to be looked at again. This is called an appeal. Your solicitor will help you with this and will tell you when you can appeal.
If you are granted asylum in the UK, you will be allowed to receive public funds (RPF) and you will have the right to work.
If your application is denied and all appeals fail, the local authority will hold a human rights assessment. This will check if your human rights would be breached or affected if you are no longer receiving support for the CLS. You might also be able to make a new or fresh claim if you have more evidence. Remember, you are not alone. Many people and organisations are here to help you. If you have questions or need support, ask your personal adviser (PA) or your solicitor for legal advice.
Financial support
Recourse to public funds
If you have received your immigration status prior to turning 18 you will be able to register for Universal Credit 28 days in advance. You should then be able to receive independent living payments and contributions towards your housing costs when you turn 18.
No recourse to public funds
If you have not received your immigration status in the UK, you are unlikely to have Recourse to Public Funds and therefore the CLS can provide you with Independent Living Allowance Payments equivalent to that of Universal Credit.
If you are approaching 21 and continue to seek asylum in the UK, you shall be encouraged to register for financial support from the Home Office. Your PA can provide more information about this.
Health
If you are awaiting a decision from the Home Office or are appeal rights exhausted we can support you to complete a HC2 certificate (full help with health costs). You can also receive an HC2 Certificate if you are supported with Universal Credit payments. This will help with health costs such as:
- free NHS prescriptions
- free NHS dental treatment
- free NHS sight tests
- help with the cost of glasses and lenses
- help with the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
- free NHS wigs and fabric support.
Education, Employment and Training
College (Further Education)
As an asylum seeker, refugee or someone with humanitarian protection, you have the right to attend college. This includes courses like GCSE's, A-levels, vocational training, and other further education programs. Many young people will start by working through English for Speakers of other Languages Levels (ESOL) and progress on to alternative courses.
University (Higher Education)
You can go to university if you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection. This means you can apply for student finance to help with tuition fees and living costs.
If you are still waiting for a decision on your asylum claim, you may have challenges with funding. Some universities offer scholarships or bursaries specifically for asylum seekers, but these are not many of these and they cannot be relied upon.
Employment
You are unlikely to have the right to work if you have not yet received status. However, if you have been waiting more than 12 months for a decision, your solicitor can help you to apply for the right to work. If you are granted the right to work you will only be able to work in jobs currently on the Skilled Worker Visa: Immigration Salary List.
If you have received refugee status, humanitarian protection or alternative form of leave with unrestricted permission to work, you will receive a National Insurance Number and can then apply for jobs in the UK.
Training
You have the right to receive training in the UK regardless of your status if this is unpaid. If this is paid training, such as an apprenticeship, you will need to have refugee status, Humanitarian protection or alternative form of leave with unrestricted permission to work.
Check with Your PA
They can help you find the right courses and support you with applications. Most colleges will also have careers advisor who will be able to support you with finding the correct course for you.
Look for Scholarships
Some colleges and universities have special funds for asylum seekers.
Identification documents (ID)
Application Registration Card (ARC)
You will receive this card when you apply for asylum show you are waiting for a decision on your asylum claim.
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
You will receive this card when you receive refugee status, humanitarian protection and some other longer term forms of leave. This is a card with your photo, type of status, right to work status and your National Insurance number. BRP cards are being replaced by E-Visas. If you have a BRP card you will now need to register and apply for an E-visa.
Travel Document
This is also known as a Convention Travel Document. This is a special passport for refugees which allows you to travel to most countries but does not permit you to travel to the country you claimed asylum from. You can check advice on travel to each country on the Gov.uk website.
Certificate of Travel
This is a special passport for those with humanitarian protection which allows you to travel to most countries but does not permit you to travel to the country you claimed asylum from. You can check advice on travel to each country on the Gov.uk website.
Driving License
A license which permits the user to drive in the UK. This is useful for getting around and can also serve as an ID.
Passport
A passport is for British citizens and is used to travel abroad outside of the UK.
Support networks and services
Big Leaf provide a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events, which focus on combatting social isolation for displaced young people in Surrey
New Leaf can provide confidential support to talk about your mental health and past experiences in a safe space
Young Roots provides specialist advice and support to refugees as well as youth development programmes, case work service and education support
South London Refugee Association (SLRA) provides specialist advice and support to refugees
Refugee Council stand up for young people's rights, support asylum seekers with advice and guidance, and connect them to helpful services
Caras provides 1:1 case work support, English lessons and youth networking and events
Buttle Trust provide small charitable grants for young people in crisis or in financial hardship
Surrey Crisis Fund offers emergency financial help to Surrey residents with following an emergency or disaster, as well as assistance in setting up a home.
