Welcoming children into your neighbourhood

How would you feel if some unruly, noisy children moved into your neighbourhood? Of if the new boy next door is sullen and rude when you speak to him? Maybe the girl in the next street disrupts lessons at your children’s school? Perhaps you think that children like this would disrupt your community. But why do these children behave as they do? Maybe you could try to understand them, and to welcome them.

Children who are adopted or fostered and children who are seeking asylum are all trying to survive things that have happened to them in the past. They will often have seen and experienced events that it may take them a very long time to get over, and this may make them behave differently to other children, perhaps in a way that could cause problems for your and your community.

This short guide will help you to understand more about these children and their background and behaviour, and to think about the ways in which you and others in your neighbourhood can welcome and support them.

Who is this book for?

For anyone who may come into contact with adopted, fostered or asylum-seeking children and young people.

What you will find in this book

This short guide explores:

• Why are children adopted or fostered, and what might they have experienced?
• Why do children seek asylum and what might have happened to them in their home country and on their journey?
• How do children’s experiences affect them and their behaviour?
• How can you help to welcome a child?
• How can you help a child with their behaviour?

Author

Jane Espley is a social worker, with experience in family placement work and in working with asylum seekers in the UK. She is also an adoptive parent whose children are now adults.