ABSTRACT
The number of children living in accommodation for homeless families has increased rapidly during the last two decades. Bradshaw (1990) estimates that it has in fact doubled in this period. Indeed there are at present (1998) an estimated 25,000 refugee children in UK schools. Teachers have a pivotal role to play in supporting such children and their families. Often refugee children have had horrendous experiences and they arrive in schools disorientated, shocked and traumatised. Many travel to Great Britain by air where asylum has been sought at the airport. Since the passage of the 1993 Asylum and Immigration (Appeals) Act, about 5 per cent of asylum seekers have been granted full refugee status which protects them from being returned to their country of origin. In addition, refugee status also gives a person the right to bring their family to the country of settlement.
