Support Young People who are Refugees or Seeking Asylum
This unit covers understanding issues affecting young refugees or asylum seekers, how to support them, and the legal frameworks protecting them.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The King's Trust Level 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice is a vocational qualification designed for individuals working or volunteering with young people aged 11-25. It focuses on developing the skills, knowledge, and values needed to support youth development through informal education, empowerment, and participation. This qualification is part of the wider Teaching & Education sector, bridging youth work with formal educational settings, and is recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA) as a pathway to professional youth work status.
The course covers key areas such as understanding the principles and values of youth work, safeguarding, equality and diversity, communication, and reflective practice. It emphasises a rights-based approach, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Students learn to plan, deliver, and evaluate youth work sessions, build positive relationships, and support young people's personal and social development. This qualification is ideal for those aiming to become youth workers, youth support workers, or progress to higher education in youth studies.
Mastery of this certificate is crucial because youth work plays a vital role in addressing issues like mental health, social exclusion, and employability among young people. By completing this qualification, you demonstrate competence in ethical practice, anti-oppressive approaches, and the ability to create safe, inclusive environments. It also prepares you for the Level 4 Diploma in Youth Work Practice, which is the full professional qualification.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Youth Work Principles: Voluntary participation, empowerment, informal education, and a focus on the young person's holistic development.
- →Safeguarding: Understanding legal frameworks like the Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local policies to protect young people from harm.
- →Equality and Diversity: Applying anti-discriminatory practice, promoting inclusion, and challenging oppression in line with the Equality Act 2010.
- →Reflective Practice: Using models like Gibbs or Kolb to critically evaluate your own practice and improve outcomes for young people.
- →Participation and Voice: Ensuring young people have a say in decisions affecting their lives, using tools like youth forums or participatory action research.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1. Understand the issues affecting young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.2. Understand how to support young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.3. Understand the statutory and legal frameworks in relation to protecting young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Explain the specific issues faced by young refugees and asylum seekers.
- Describe appropriate support strategies for these young people.
- Outline the statutory and legal frameworks that protect them.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Use case studies to illustrate key points.
- 💡Stay updated on current legislation and policies.
- 💡Emphasise the importance of cultural sensitivity.
- 💡Use real examples from your practice to illustrate theory. For instance, when discussing empowerment, describe a specific session where you helped a young person make a decision. This shows application, not just recall.
- 💡Always link your answers to the NYA's National Occupational Standards for Youth Work. For example, when writing about communication, reference standard 2.1: 'Communicate effectively with young people.'
- 💡Don't forget the ethical dimension. Examiners look for awareness of power dynamics, confidentiality boundaries, and professional conduct. Mentioning the Youth Work Code of Ethics can boost your marks.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Assuming all refugees have the same experiences.
- Neglecting the importance of trauma-informed practice.
- Confusing asylum seeker and refugee status.
- Misconception: Youth work is the same as teaching or social work. Correction: Youth work is distinct—it is voluntary, informal, and led by the young person's needs, not a prescribed curriculum or statutory intervention.
- Misconception: Safeguarding is only about reporting abuse. Correction: Safeguarding also includes promoting welfare, preventing harm, and creating safe environments through policies, risk assessments, and training.
- Misconception: Reflective practice is just writing about what went well. Correction: Effective reflection involves analysing feelings, evaluating outcomes, and identifying specific changes to improve future practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for KING'S TRUST Support Young People who are Refugees or Seeking Asylum
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of child development theories (e.g., Piaget, Erikson) is helpful but not essential.
- •Experience working or volunteering with young people in any capacity (e.g., youth club, sports coaching) provides a practical foundation.
- •Familiarity with safeguarding basics, such as the signs of abuse, is beneficial but will be covered in the course.
Coursework AI Review
Paste your assignment brief and check your draft against its P/M/D criteria
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1. Understand the issues affecting young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.2. Understand how to support young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.3. Understand the statutory and legal frameworks in relation to protecting young people who are refugees or seeking asylum.
Ready to learn?
AI-powered learning tailored to this unit