Implemented by Enthum House
February 2023 – December 2024
In 2022, 19% of first-time asylum applicants in the EU were unaccompanied minors—children under 18 who travel without their parents or another legal guardian. Many of these young migrants left home voluntarily or were compelled to flee at an early age, enduring years of hardship before reaching the EU.
Unaccompanied or separated children flee war, poverty, persecution, or the threat of recruitment into armed groups, often enduring traumatic experiences that no child should face. Throughout their perilous journey and upon arrival, these children are highly vulnerable to (sexual) abuse and exploitation.
In recent years, thousands of asylum-seeking children have arrived in the UK. However, due to inadequate facilities, many of these children have been housed in rented hotels without referral to, or acceptance by, local child protection agencies, as mandated by the Children Act 1989. These accommodations fail to provide the necessary level of protection and care that these children require and deserve. Given their age and the trauma they have endured, these children need dedicated care, protection, and assistance to cope with their experiences and navigate the challenges ahead.
Enthum House, in partnership with the Peace of Mind Foundation, is one establishment providing such specialised support. As a private foundation offering safe and sustainable homes in East Sussex for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, Enthum House delivers high-quality, trauma-informed services to young people with complex and diverse needs, with a person-centred therapeutic approach, tailored to each young person’s background, experiences, and coping mechanisms.
The project has enabled access to a wide range of therapeutic and developmental activities. While some young people engage in traditional talking therapies, others benefit from alternative approaches such as sports (including football, cricket, swimming, and gym access), creative therapies, storytelling, and nature-based activities. These approaches support emotional regulation, build social connections, and create safe spaces where young people can process their experiences at their own pace.
This joint model also ensures access to formal therapeutic support when needed, including specialised services such as those provided by the Refugee Council. At the same time, the project has strengthened staff wellbeing through regular clinical supervision and reflective practice, recognising that supporting traumatised young people requires ongoing emotional and professional support for caregivers.
The impact of this project is a holistic, adaptable system of care where both young people and staff are supported. By embedding wellbeing across all levels, from daily activities to clinical supervision, it creates an environment where healing, trust, resilience, and meaningful relationships can develop, enabling young people to rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.