Working with Asylum Seekers and Refugees: What to Do, What Not to Do, and How to Help

This hands-on guide is essential for those who are new to working with asylum seekers and refugees. Drawing on refugees' first-hand accounts of their experiences, it covers how to meet a diverse range of needs on issues such as mental wellbeing, housing, healthcare, employment, and working with children and families.
This hands-on guide provides accessible, insightful advice for practitioners who find themselves working with asylum seekers and refugees. Part I covers the essentials of understanding refugees' experiences including what they are coping with now they are in the UK, definitions, entitlements and restrictions, equality, positive action, and practical engagement including improving access to services and overcoming language barriers. Part II prepares professionals for meeting a wide range of needs, including housing, poverty, health and mental health, and training and employment. It also cover issues and opportunities when working with child and young refugees. This pragmatic book accompanies social workers, medical staff, educators, charity workers and housing professionals in their daily work, and illustrates the perspective of refugees themselves. A passionate and compassionate response to the needs of displaced people, it is an excellent starting point for all those working to create a safe and welcoming environment where refugees and asylum seekers are supported.