Every year, Refugee Week invites us to pause, reflect and connect. It’s a time to celebrate the resilience, courage and contribution of people seeking sanctuary, and to better understand the journeys that bring them here. This year, we are reminded that unaccompanied children need foster carers more than ever.
In 2026, that message is more powerful than ever, with the theme of “Courage”, a reminder of the strength it takes to leave everything behind in search of safety.
But behind that word “courage” are real people. And among them are children arriving in the UK completely alone. Unaccompanied children need foster carers who are willing to provide the safety and care they deserve.
Who are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC)?
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are under 18 and arrive in the UK without a parent or guardian to care for them.
They are not just statistics or headlines. They are young people who have:
- Fled war, violence or persecution
- Experienced loss, separation or trauma
- Travelled long distances, often in unsafe conditions
- Arrived in a new country with no familiar face to greet them
Imagine being a teenager, in a completely new place, not speaking the language and having no one to turn to. This is precisely why unaccompanied children need foster carers to help them start again.
When these children arrive in the UK, they don’t have family networks or support systems. Instead, they become the responsibility of local authorities and like all children in care, they need somewhere safe to live.
Without enough homes, some children are placed in unsuitable or temporary accommodation. These environments often lack the stability, care and emotional support that young people need, especially after everything they’ve been through.
That’s why foster carers are so important. In response, unaccompanied children need foster carers who can offer the stability and kindness every child deserves.
The role of a UASC foster carer
Fostering an unaccompanied child involves providing a safe place to land.
For these young people, a foster carer can be:
- The first person who makes them feel safe again
- Someone who helps them learn English and settle into school
- A steady presence during an uncertain asylum process
- A source of encouragement, patience and understanding
At a time when everything feels unfamiliar, a foster home can bring stability and hope.
“Courage” goes both ways
The Refugee Week theme of courage isn’t just about those forced to flee.
It’s also about the courage of:
- Communities opening their doors
- Individuals choosing to support someone they’ve never met
- Foster carers stepping forward to care for children with complex experiences
Because fostering a child who has journeyed alone takes compassion, resilience and a willingness to learn.
And you are not expected to do it alone, foster carers receive training, guidance and ongoing support every step of the way.
Could you make a difference?
Right now, there are children in the UK who have shown incredible courage just to get here, but they still need someone to walk alongside them as they rebuild their lives. In short, unaccompanied children need foster carers now more than ever.
This Refugee Week, as we celebrate courage, we’re also asking: Could you be part of the support these young people need?
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. For unaccompanied children seeking asylum, that place could start with you.
All fostering enquiries are handled first by our partners, Fostering South West (also known as the regional hub). The hub brings together enquiries for all local authorities across the South West. They aim to contact you within two days of your enquiry for an initial chat to help you decide whether fostering is right for you. If it is, the hub passes your enquiry to us (South Gloucestershire Council), and we support you through the rest of your fostering journey.
