The Guardianship Project was developed by us with the support of Scottish Government; it started in September 2010 and is delivered by Aberlour Childcare Trust.
On Saturday 23 June (6:30 – 7:30pm) we will be celebrating Refugee Week and The Guardianship Project with multicultural dance performances, storytelling and a ceilidh. It’s a free event but must be booked in advance – so we hope to see you there.
Upholding children’s rights and interest
The first of its kind in the UK, the project supports separated children, several of whom have been the victims of trafficking, arriving alone in Scotland. Each young person gets a professional guardian to help them navigate the complex asylum and social welfare processes.
Many of the young people arrive confused, bewildered and sometimes mentally and physically ill. The young people immediately face many obstacles including language and cultural barriers – and a lack of awareness of the concept of asylum. They have little or no understanding of the roles and remit of social work, legal representatives, key workers.
Making sense in a complex situation
The guardian helps the young person to make sense of their new lives in Scotland and ensure they are kept at the centre of the various systems. They also ensure children are able to actively take part in their claim for asylum – and that their voices are heard throughout the complex processes.
The service aims to knit together other services and create a more child-friendly asylum system. It also strives to share learning on how best to support this particularly vulnerable group of young people.
