Support for asylum experienced care leavers

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Who this page is for

This page is for you if you came to the UK as an asylum seeker and are leaving care.

You may have extra steps to take.

What this page covers

• How we support you
• What you need to do
• Where to find official guidance

Page contents

• How we help with the asylum process
• Financial support
• Identification documents (ID)
• Health support
• Education and training support
• Your rights and support
• Support networks and services
• If your status changes
• Who to contact

How we help with the asylum process

We help you:

• book your Home Office appointment if you are under 18
• get ready for interviews and during interviews
• find a solicitor

We cannot give legal advice, but we make sure you have the right support.

Official guidance:

Read Claim asylum in the UK (GOV.UK).

Immigration status

Your immigration status affects what support you can get.

Your social worker and PA will help you understand your status and what you need to do.

• If you have refugee status, you can live, work and study in the UK.
• If you have limited leave to remain, you may need to renew it before it ends.
• If you are still waiting for a decision, your PA and solicitor will support you with your case.

Keep all your documents safe.

Show new documents to your PA so we can update your records.

Identification documents (ID)

You may need:

• Application Registration Card (ARC) – you get this when you apply for asylum
• eVisa – your digital immigration status (for those with refugee status, humanitarian protection or another type of leave)
• Home Office letters about your case
• Passport or travel document (a special passport for refugees)
• Driving licence - a photo ID you can use to prove who you are

Your PA and the Care Leavers’ Service (CLS) can help you get these documents if you do not have them.

Keep all your documents safe.

Show new documents to your PA so we can update your records.

Financial support

• If you cannot claim benefits because you have no immigration status, we give you Independent Living Allowance payments.
• If you get status before you turn 18, we help you apply for Universal Credit
• If you are nearly 21 and still waiting for a decision, we encourage you to register for Home Office financial support.. Your personal adviser (PA) can explain how this works.
• If you have refugee status or leave to remain, you can claim benefits and get help with housing and education.
• If you are waiting for a decision, you may get support from the Home Office or local authority.
• Your PA will help you apply for benefits and explain what you can get.
• You may be able to get extra support with fees or travel.

Official guidance:

Read about Universal Credit (GOV.UK)

Health support

If you are waiting for a Home Office decision or have no appeal rights, we can help you apply for an HC2 certificate.

You can also get an HC2 certificate if you receive Universal Credit.

An HC2 certificate gives you:

• free NHS prescriptions
• free dental care
• free sight tests
• help with the cost of glasses and lenses.

Official guidance:

Read about HC2 certificates

Education and training support

Learning English

Your social worker (SW) or PA can help you find free English classes or courses in your area.

College

If you are an asylum seeker, refugee or have humanitarian protection, you can go to college.

We help you apply for courses, including:

• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• GCSEs
• A-levels
• vocational courses.

University

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection, we can help you apply for university and student finance.

If you are waiting for a decision, funding is harder.

Some universities offer scholarships, but these are limited.

Employment

You cannot work until you get immigration status.

If you have waited more than 12 months, your solicitor can help you apply for the right to work. Then you will be able to work in jobs on the Immigration Salary List.

If you get refugee status or similar, you will get a National Insurance number and can apply for jobs.

Training

You can do unpaid training whatever your status.

For paid training, like apprenticeships, you need refugee status or similar.

How we help

Your PA can help you:

• find courses
• apply for training
• look for scholarships

Colleges also have careers advisers who can support you.

Official guidance:

Read about student finance and right to work checks on GOV.UK.

Your rights and support

You have the right to feel safe and be treated fairly.

Your PA will help you understand what support you can get.

The Care Leavers’ Service (CLS) will support you with your care, education, health and where you live.

We can help you with documents, benefits and learning English.

Support networks and services

• Big Leaf – activities and projects for displaced young people
• New Leaf – confidential mental health support
• Young Roots – refugee advice, casework and youth projects
• South London Refugee Association (SLRA) – specialist refugee support
• Refugee Council – advice, rights support and connections
• Caras – English lessons, casework and youth activities
• Buttle Trust – crisis grants
• Crisis and Resilience Fund – emergency support with essentials or setting up a home

Legal advice

Always get advice from a qualified solicitor about your immigration case.

Your PA can help you find one.

If your status changes

Tell your PA straight away if you get new documents or your status changes.

They will explain what it means for your support, benefits and future plans.

Who to contact

• Your personal adviser (PA)
• The Care Leavers’ Service (CLS)
• Your solicitor

If you are not sure who to speak to, ask your PA.

Remember

You are not alone.

There are people who want to help you feel safe and build your life in the UK.

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