To anyone who is an important adult for a child who has applied for asylum

Fleeing from their home and seeking asylum in another country can be a frightening experience for anyone at all. For a child, needing to do so without their parents be extremely stressful.

People sometimes say that asylum seekers, and especially unaccompanied minors are strong. That if they are capable of getting to the other side of the earth by themselves, then they can probably cope with anything at all. But even the strongest and toughest children need secure adults around them so that they can just be children. Children who are fleeing are no exception, and when they do not have their parents with them, or if their parents are exhausted, confused and maybe traumatized, other important adults are needed to offer these children some peace and security in an uncertain situation.

All children are different, and every asylum seeker has a unique story to tell. Some asylum-seeking children have lived in flight for a long time and may not have seen their loved ones for several years. Others were recently separated from their parents. Some have contact with their relatives, while others do not know where to start looking. All child asylum seekers are burdened by questions and worry. Some ask questions about their situation and reach out for help. Others keep all their worry bottled up and do not dare to ask questions.

As an adult, you have an important role. You are a person who can guide and support the child asylum seeker in the situation that the child is in. You can read these pages along with the child. Together, you can go through the different stages that a person who is an asylum seeker has to get through.

If you are not able to find answers to the child’s questions on these pages, you can read more on other pages on our website or ask a case officer.

An important adult can be a

  • parent
  • other legal guardian
  • guardian
  • relative
  • teacher
  • school welfare officer
  • person from a voluntary organisation
  • staff member at the Swedish Migration Agency.

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