Page contents
- What is Young Refugee fostering?
- What do you need to become a Young Refugee carer?
- Your role as a Young Refugee carer
- Support and training for Young Refugee carers
- Financial allowances for Young Refugee carers
- Thinking about Young Refugee fostering and want to learn more?
What is Young Refugee fostering?
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are young people who arrive in the UK without a parent or guardian, usually after fleeing war, violence, or persecution. Many have experienced trauma, long and dangerous journeys, and separation from their families.
Most young refugees in care are boys over the age of 13, with the average age around 15 or 16. They often arrive with little more than hope for a safer future and need care, stability, and guidance as they adjust to life in a new country.
By fostering an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child, you can make a lasting difference to a young person’s life and help them rebuild their future with dignity and hope.
What do you need to become a Young Refugee carer?
You do not need previous fostering experience to become a young refugee foster carer. If you are over 21, live full-time in the UK, and have a spare bedroom, we would love to hear from you.
What matters most is your ability to offer patience, guidance, and an open mind. We welcome carers from all backgrounds and provide full training and support to help you succeed.
Your role as a Young Refugee carer
As a Young Refugee carer, your role is to provide a safe, stable, and welcoming home for a young person who has arrived in the UK alone. These young people and teenagers, often aged 13 to 17, need more than just a place to stay. They need emotional support, encouragement, and practical help to begin rebuilding their lives.
You’ll help them settle into education, register with health services, and learn how things work in the UK. Just as importantly, you’ll offer kindness, patience, and a consistent adult presence, helping them feel seen, heard, and valued.
Many of these young people come from different cultures and may speak little or no English at first. You don’t need to be an expert or speak another language – just open-minded, respectful, and willing to learn. With the right support and guidance, you’ll play a vital part in helping them feel safe, grow in confidence, and plan for a more hopeful future.
Support and training for Young Refugee carers
Surrey County Council offers a structured training programme and access to specialist resources to help carers understand:
- The impact of trauma
- Cultural differences
- Legal and asylum processes
You will be supported by:
- A dedicated supervising social worker
- Peer support networks
You will never be alone on your fostering journey.
Financial allowances for Young Refugee carers
Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of care. New carers typically start at Level 2, with opportunities to increase payments through further training and development.
Thinking about fostering Young Refugees and want to learn more?
Take our quick Could You Foster? quiz or order a free brochure to learn more about how fostering could fit into your life.