War, conflict and trauma is happening around the world with many people displaced through combat and violence.
It is estimated that one in six children, over 449 million, are living in a conflict zone. Wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have led to serious unrest and recent events in the UK have seen asylum seekers targeted with verbal and physical violence.
Global refugees have shared some of the stories in a video and recent reports of refugees making it to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Team demonstrate some of the successes, hardships and/or trauma they have faced. Those working in services for children, young people, adults, families and communities may need to understand the challenges and needs faced by refugees and people from war-affected areas. What does effective practice look like when supporting people with these experiences?
We recognise that some of the violence and displacement we are seeing globally is a result of ignorance and fear of difference. From large scale war and conflict, to localised care services, better understanding and humility for people across real and perceived differences makes an impact on how we interact with each other at every level. Research in Practice resources seek to recognise and address the complex nuances that relate to ethnicity, culture, intersectionality and migration.
A new Research in Practice workshop on working with people from war affected areas analyses complexities when working with refugees and people arriving at local areas from war affected regions.
When talking about supporting refugees it’s important we understand the terms used so we will explore some of these themes including using trauma-informed and rights-based approaches and recognising and upholding the inherent rights and dignity of each individual person.
What is a migrant, asylum seeker or refugee?
There is no internationally accepted legal definition of a ‘migrant’. Many agencies and organisations understand migrants to be people staying outside their country of origin, who are not asylum-seekers or refugees. For example, some migrants leave their country because they want to work, study or join family members.
An asylum seeker is someone who has an application for protection based on the UNHCR Refugee Convention 1951 or Article 3 of the ECHR. They have left their country of origin and formally applied for asylum, but the application has not concluded.
A refused asylum seeker is someone whose application has been unsuccessful and denied protection by the authorities. Some refused asylum seekers voluntarily return home; others are forcibly returned. For some it is not safe or practical to return until conditions in their home country change.
In the UK, a refugee is a term often used to mean people who have claimed asylum and had a positive decision. A small number of refugees come to the UK through resettlement schemes.
When someone is granted leave to remain in the UK as a refugee, they have just 28 days to move from asylum support to mainstream services. They need to obtain a National Insurance Number to work and apply for benefits and basic support, such as opening a bank account, child benefit, and somewhere to live.
Supporting our culturally diverse communities
The UK is a multicultural country and this means some cultural boundaries are increasingly blurred, especially in bigger cities. Tensions may rise due to structural and systemic factors such as poverty, insecure housing, discrimination and language barriers. We need therefore to provide effective support for our diverse communities.
In an open access podcast we conceptualise culture and what this means for the way that we support people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The podcast accompanies a new briefing that focuses on the impact of cultural contexts and research evidence that make the case for developing culturally appropriate care. The briefing discusses concepts and frameworks for delivering person-centred care and support for the UK's culturally diverse communities.
Rights based practice
Human rights have been embedded in British culture and law for over 800 years. The Human Rights Act 1998 sits alongside other core legislation, yet it is unique in that it focuses on humanity, the basic freedoms and protections that every person has simply because they are human, as opposed to focusing on behaviour, needs or identity.
Human rights are a familiar language that can be used in everyday conversations when working with people, their families and carers. Much of adult social care is grounded in human rights, and its legislation and policy are governed by human rights law. Therefore, a human rights approach is essential in practice.
Trauma-informed practice
Trauma and its various forms can be experienced by people from war-affected areas.
A trauma can be defined as a physical or emotional experience that has had an adverse impact on an adult, child or young person’s wellbeing. Broadly, trauma can be defined as two types:
- Type one trauma: one single event.
- Type two trauma: multiple traumatic events over time.
Refugees and those affected by war, almost by definition, fall into a ‘complex’ trauma category. The effects of trauma may not always be significant or long-lasting. However, for some the impact stays with them throughout the life course.
Discover the challenges faced by people and families from war-affected areas and tools to support your decision-making
We consider the above themes and more in a new workshop for organisations on working with people from war affected areas. Using trauma-informed and rights-based approaches, you will reflect on recognising and upholding the inherent rights and dignity of each individual person and explore the complexities when working with refugees and people arriving at their local areas from war affected regions.
'Should be mandatory training, the skills and knowledge gained from this course are transferable to many different situations.'
Participant feedback
Learning outcomes include:
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The challenges and unique needs faced by refugees and people and families from war affected areas.
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Cultural, social, and psychological factors influencing the experiences of refugees and people from war affected areas.
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Trauma and its various forms that can be experienced by people.
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Personal biases and assumptions that may impact interactions with people from different cultural backgrounds.
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Developing and applying trauma-informed practices when working with people.
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The potential impact of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue on social care practitioners.
Research in Practice members can have this workshop delivered in their organisation to whole teams and colleagues working in this area. Members can book via their Link Officer using their membership allocation.
To commission this workshop for your team, please contact learning@researchinpractice.org.uk for further information.
Find out more information about this workshop and other Research in Practice workshops.
It is important for practitioners working directly with children, adults and families to consider some of the cultural, social, and psychological factors influencing the experiences of refugees and people from war-affected areas.
Supporting those working directly with people in communities affected by violence
Many of us are alarmed and angry as communities across the country experience violence, racism, and riots. At Research in Practice, we strive to advance inclusivity, equity and diversity through our work. We want to support sector colleagues who are working with people and communities affected by violence, in whatever small way we can.
Supporting our culturally diverse communities
How can we provide support for communities in our culturally diverse society? New Research in Practice resources seek to conceptualise effective practice when working across cultures.