Millions of children have been displaced in and from Ukraine due to the war. Their right to care and protection at this time is critical. Everyone can help in the humanitarian response to the needs of children and families. There is much that can be learned from what children and adults have shared of their experiences of war, conflict and emergencies caused by natural disasters, and from international guidance which addresses needs as well as rights of children and adults in emergencies including conflict.
This resource is designed to help people in Scotland working with and supporting children and families in professional, voluntary or personal capacity, and across Europe. This focuses on child protection and safeguarding, supporting mental and physical wellbeing including trauma, and the needs of children who require care.
Here you will find, all in one place, information, resources, organisations, guidance and the international frameworks to understand the rights of children and what needs to be considered when supporting children in care and children who have been displaced from the war and have been separated from their families and may have arrived in the UK on their own.
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Scottish Government guidance for those wishing to host Ukrainian refugees can be found here.
Supporting wellbeing
Resources on nurturing and protecting children and young people following trauma.
Tools to support individual refugees
A toolkit for public authorities and/or civil society organisations creating or developing direct services to newly-recognised refugees: physical or remote holistic advice and advocacy services/one-stop shops; and language and employment services
Transforming Psychological Trauma: A Knowledge and Skills Framework for the Scottish Workforce
Guidance on delivering quality, evidence-based trauma informed or trauma specific services to people affected by traumatic events.
The National Trauma Training Programme
Training to support all sectors of the workforce to embed and sustain trauma informed practice.
Resources on supporting the mental health needs asylum seeking and refugee children.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants on the Move in Europe
Advice and guidance on protecting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.
Safe Spaces, Thriving Children: Embedding Trauma-Informed Practices into Alternative Care Settings.
Practice guidance on understanding trauma and addressing the needs of children and young people affected by it through trauma-informed care practices.
Conflict and War
Advice and resources on discussing war and conflict with children and young people.
Resources for teachers on helping children and young people to challenge assumptions about migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and to develop mutual respect, empathy and understanding.
Resources supporting Ukrainian children’s right to education
Guidance for parents, children and teachers on current web resources and portals to enable Ukrainian children to continue their education if they have been displaced.
‘Being me’ through adversity and trauma
Resources for professionals and families to help develop an understanding of adverse and traumatic experiences in childhood and understand their impact.
Multi-lingual resources – including in English and Ukrainian - for parents and families about talking to children and young people about potentially traumatic events.
Advice, guidance and resources for parents and carers supporting a child or young person who may be struggling with poor mental health.
Caring for children through conflict and displacement
Advice and guidance for parents who have lived through war and trauma on how they can help themselves feel better, and how they can help their children in difficult times.
How to talk to children about conflict and war
Guidance for parents on talking to children about conflict and war.
When the news is scary, you still have power
Advice for children and young people on what can be done to help make sense of what is happening in Ukraine.
Child protection and safeguarding
If you think you need advocacy support or independent legal advice, the following organisations can help:
The needs of children who require care
Caring for Children Moving Alone: Protecting Unaccompanied and Separated Children
This free course provides an understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by children moving alone and is designed to inform the improvement of policy, practice and delivery of support services that uphold children’s rights and meet their best interests. The course provides examples of promising practice and is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
International Federation of Social Workers
Educating for Peace – Social Work in the Context of War and Conflict
A free, six-week training course for social work practitioners exploring different dimensions of social work in the context of conflict and war, bringing together international researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience.
Critical Considerations for Movement of Children During a Humanitarian Crisis
Guidance for service providers who are working with children, families, and separated children in response to the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network and NIDOS
Working with the unaccompanied child
Guidance on practices and working methods on the reception and protection of unaccompanied children in Europe.
Guidance on the international framework
Information on the cross-border protection and intercountry adoption of children deprived of their family environment due to the armed conflict in Ukraine.
This Resolution outlines States’ commitments to provide care and protection, and access to services and support for children without parental care, including children who are refugees, migrants, unaccompanied or separated from their families. Of particular relevance are paragraphs 9, 12, 13, 14, 37, 38, 39.
This General Comment provides guidance which outlines the appropriate measures that should be taken by States to ensure compliance with the obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child to fully protect the rights of children in the context of international migration
This Resolution considers how the international community should best respond to large movements of refugees and migrants, as well as the needs and circumstances of children. Of particular relevance are paragraphs 29, 32, 33, 59, 70, 81 and 82; and Annex I, paragraphs 5 (a) (b) (e); para 6 (b) (c).
These international standards provide guidance to States on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with specific reference to children in care, or children who are at risk of losing parental care.
This handbook supports the implementation of the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children through connection with national policy and direct practice. Chapter 11 addresses care provision abroad and in emergency situations.
This General Comment outlines the challenges faced by States in ensuring the rights of unaccompanied and separated children are upheld, and provides guidance on the protection, care and treatment of unaccompanied and separated children.