Manual on Smart Practices for Working with Migrant Unaccompanied and Separated Children in the Europe Region
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The purpose of this manual
This manual on smart practices for working with migrant unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) is intended to be a resource for National Societies seeking to develop or enhance protection and assistance services for UASC. It has been prepared by the IFRC with support from the Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants (PERCO) Working Group. In addition, some International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expert resources were referred to in this manual, in particular with regards to the Restoring Family Links chapter.
The manual can be used to support the Interagency Field Handbook on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (https://flextranet.familylinks. icrc.org/en/RFLGuideLines/Pages/Handbook-onUnaccompanied-and-Separated-Children.aspx) and the IFRC Position Paper on Protection and Assistance for Children on the Move.
Who is this manual for
This manual is for personnel within European Red Cross or Red Crescent National Societies and IFRC working with, or planning to work with, migrant UASC. Although the manual has been developed specifically for the Europe region, many aspects may also be useful for National Societies across regions.
How to use this manual This manual can be used to: help prepare a National Society to take action; understand relevant laws in Europe; identify smart practices from other National Societies in Europe; appreciate the dilemmas that can come with working with UASC; and support positioning and advocacy efforts.
Why was this manual developed A number of National Societies in the region have managed projects to support UASC for years. However, a significant increase of migrants, including tens of thousands of UASC, arriving on European shores in 2015 led to significant humanitarian needs and therefore an increase and intensification of activities among some National Societies and the start of new activities by other National Societies. A variety of protection and assistance services for UASC have been implemented by National Societies, such as reception services and specialized housing; education assistance; health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); Restoring Family Links (RFL); and acting as guardians.
This manual draws upon smart practices from the various activities implemented by National Societies in Europe for the protection and assistance of UASC.