Education provision for newly arrived displaced adolescents

Refugee Education UK (REUK), with support from The Bell Foundation, conducted research on access to education for late arrivals - young people, aged 13-19, who have been forcibly displaced from their homes (for reasons including war, conflict, persecution, trafficking and persecution) and who arrive in the UK late in the education system. The study was commissioned by The Bell Foundation in response to increased interest from policy makers and practitioners in supporting the needs of these newly arrived displaced adolescents. 
 
The research finds that late arrivals may remain out of education for extended periods of time, and that accessing secondary education becomes increasingly difficult the later young people arrive in the UK. Young people who arrive at a Year 11-age face enhanced challenges, with schools unlikely to accept them. Accessing a meaningful further education place can also be challenging for late arrivals. In the absence of school or college places, the charity sector is often left to bridge gaps.
 
The study used a mixed methods approach, and reflects the experiences of more than 400 individuals, predominantly practitioners from the charity, education and local government sectors.
 
An accompanying policy brief provides detailed recommendations aimed at national and local government to ensure all young people can access their right to education.