Children in Exile

This text looks at therapeutic work with refugee children and discusses the issues involved for them, their therapists and other care workers. Containing children's own accounts of their experiences of both their escape and subsequent treatment, the book examines the unique problems children have as refugees and their implications. The author explains that therapists have to take into account the child's internal shock and horror at violence and flight; having to adapt to their new environment of school and community in their adopted country; and their family situation and the wellbeing or otherwise of family and siblings. The text describes various methods of working with children and adolescents in both therapy and refugee centres, discussing the activities and approaches used, the differences between different age groups and illustrating the work done with case studies. The international, European and UK legal perspectives on refugee children are also examined, and the rights that children have as asylum seekers, particularly when unaccompanied. The book highlights gaps between asylum and childcare law and the ramifications for the children, and describes the latest research into their experience of legal representation in the asylum process.