Background:

Social Workers Without Borders worked with unaccompanied children in the Calais 'Jungle' and carried out 40 Assessments of 'Needs and best interests' of the young people in the weeks prior to the camps demolition. We found that children's experiences during their journey and in their subsequent time in France had resulted in them needing significant professional support and protection.

Current Situation:

Since the dispersal of children across France, Social Workers Without Borders have continued to support the assessed children and have found that many have been placed in centres which do not meet their basic needs. Assessments have shown that many children are displaying severe symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, feelings of despair and self-harming. One child has attempted to end their own life. 

These centres are closing. Children are returning to Calais where there is no longer even the 'Jungle' to provide any sort of a home. Now the Government has ended the DUBS AMENDMENT, which created the only legal safe passage to the UK.

In order to continue the fight to provide sanctuary to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children we are working with Duncan Lewis Solicitors who are challenging the rejection of 37 of the children's cases under the 'Dubs Amendment'. These cases have already been put before the High Court and the litigation is on-going.

Please see the video of our work in the camp with Duncan Lewis Solicitors

How can you help?

Although all our social work professionals give their time for free we urgently need to raise money to continue to conduct our Assessments and support young people in their decision making. 

Donations will be used for costs including travel expenses and contact arrangements with young people in locations across France and the continuation of our vital work to provide professional support to unaccompanied minors and the wider refugee and migrant community. Additional monies raised can be used to provide specialist psychological assessments for those in need.

#DELIVERONDUBS:

The 'DUBS' amendment to the Immigration Act 2016 was passed in May 2016, and compels the government to ‘make arrangements to relocate to the UK and support a specified number of unaccompanied refugee children from other countries in Europe’. The Government has of now ended their commitment to this Amendment.

We will not be daunted and we will continue to campaign for the robust implementation of the Dubs Amendment to provide safe passage to unaccompanied children in Europe at grave risk of sexual exploitation, trafficking and domestic slavery. #DELIVERONDUBS 

Social Workers Without Borders will continue to provide social work assessment and support to young people we worked with in the Calais camp, including those children involved in the High Court case .

*Social Workers without Borders is a Voluntary Organisation registered under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (Charity No. 1099682).