This chapter focuses on the challenges facing children and young people seeking asylum in the UK alone and how social workers can effectively support them. In addition to offering a clear understanding of who these young people are, and how the dominant government rhetoric may impact their lives, the chapter provides critical insights into: - the legislative and social policy context governing social work practice in this area - the initial engagement with an unaccompanied refugee minor (URM) as a new arrival. - the care and pathway planning process for those young people whilst in the care of local authorities and as they approach adulthood.

This chapter explores the challenges facing children and young people seeking asylum in the UK and considers how social workers can support them in navigating this terrain. This details how the legislative and policy context impacts on the young people's experiences, and what social work practitioners need to be aware on within this ever changing and highly politicalised area of social work practice.