1 How we can help
Our Social Care and Leaving Care Service will help you with housing, education and health care. They will also aim to meet any religious and cultural needs you may have.
We are also able to refer you to immigration solicitors, who can provide you with advice and support for your claim for asylum.
If you are an unaccompanied asylum seeking child (UASC) you may become a looked after child.
2 How to get advice and guidance
If you are worried about something, usually you should speak to your social worker or personal advisor. They have worked with lots of young people in your situation and can find the right advice for you.
If you disagree with your social worker, you can ask an advocate to help you make your voice heard.
You can also contact a free service called Always Heard. They will speak to you on the phone, using an interpreter, so you understand what is going on and can tell us how you feel.
3 Activities
The following free activities are for young people in West Sussex, but are particularly good if you are not confident at speaking English.
- Nations United - Football in Chichester, Thursdays, 5.30pm-7.00pm
- Premier League Kicks - Football across West Sussex, term time evenings, age 11-19 years
- AudioActive - Music sessions in Worthing and Lancing for all ages
- Chichester Festival Youth Theatre - Acting, dance, lights and production, age 5-25 years
- ESTEEM - Drop-in meal and activities at The Old School House, Ham Road, Shoreham, BN43 6PA, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6.00pm-8.00pm, age 14-26 years. Phone 07490 447333 or email hello@esteem.org.uk.
- Global Social Club - Youth club in Brighton, Mondays, 7.00pm-9.00pm, age 13-25 years
4 Supporting information
- Refugee Council - Advice to children under 18 about their claim for asylum. They are different to a solicitor and work with unaccompanied asylum seekers who are not happy with their solicitor.
- Who is Who - Information booklet (available in various languages) produced by the Migrant and Refugee Children’s Legal Unit. It explains what each professional working with you is responsible for, and who has to keep your information confidential. It also tells you your rights and gives phone numbers you can call for advice.
- NSPCC - Child trafficking booklet - This booklet (available in various languages) explains what some important words mean and your rights as a child in England.
- Guide to asylum for separated children - assists newly arrived separated children and care leavers who have made a claim for asylum in the UK to understand the asylum process and their rights and responsibilities.