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
Guidance. A welcome pack from the Scottish Government, presenting a welcoming Scotland where refugees and asylum seekers are able to rebuild their lives from the day they arrive.
Guidance from NHS Education for Scotland on delivering quality, evidence-based trauma informed or trauma specific services to people affected by traumatic events.
Training from NHS Education for Scotland to support all sectors of the workforce to embed and sustain trauma informed practice.
Resources from Young Minds to support the mental health needs asylum seeking and refugee children.
Advice and guidance from the IFRC Psychosocial Centre to protect and support the mental health and wellbeing of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.
Guidance from CELCIS on understanding trauma and addressing the needs of children and young people affected by it through trauma-informed care practices.
Advice and resources from Education Scotland on discussing war and conflict with children and young people.
Resources from the British Red Cross 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.
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
This free course from The International Federation of Social Workers entitled Educating for Peace - Social Work in the Context of War and Conflict, is 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.
Guidance from the Better Care Network entitled Critical Considerations for Movement of Children During a Humanitarian Crisis, is for service providers who are working with children, families, and separated children in response to the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Guidance from The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network and NIDOS 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.