Care leavers’ transitions to independence
Learning a new language and culture
Young people who were new to the UK spoke about learning English, accessing education and finding ways to feel part of a community. For many, progress at college and support from youth clubs helped them feel more settled and able to start thinking about their future.
- Starting education with little or no English
- Clubs and cultural familiarity
- Building independence while building language
- Progress strengthened identity
Starting education with little or no English
Several young people we spoke to arrived in the UK unable to speak English and had to rely on translation. Within a year many of them were sitting GCSEs, were proud of their progress, and felt motivated by teachers who pushed them to improve. Education helped young people feel settled, capable and hopeful.
Helen came to the UK at 17 and was working towards her GCSEs (read by an actor).
Helen came to the UK at 17 and was working towards her GCSEs (read by an actor).
I study like English, Maths, History, Geography, but now I would start in GCSE. I did GCSE Maths.
You did GCSE Maths?
Maths, yeah.
OK.
But now, in September, I will do it like, Science, History, Geography.
OK, OK. So how long have you been in education in the UK?
I started education in the UK like when I came here.
How old were you when you started education in the UK?
So when I was 17.
OK, OK. So you’ve been learning for a year. How are you...—
For a year, yeah.
—how are you finding education in the UK?
It’s good.
Yeah?
Yeah.
What do you like about it?
I like everything. Especially when I came here, I wasn’t to know English and now my... I improve my English. Yeah, and they explain you good. Yeah, it’s so good.
Fiyori’s goal was to study and build a better future but the language barrier made it hard (read by an actor).
Fiyori’s goal was to study and build a better future but the language barrier made it hard (read by an actor).
In the UK I’m having the opportunity to study. And fortunately then that makes me like look forward for the future, and it was... I was, needed that, when I came here, it was my aim to study and to have a better future. And the... I get that chance here, but when I do that, there are so many things I have to work hard and it is challenging me. For example, language barrier. So yeah.
Clubs and cultural familiarity
Youth groups offering shared language, food and culture helped reduce homesickness and loneliness. Eating traditional foods together, or hearing familiar accents made young people feel less isolated and more connected to peers from similar backgrounds. Some described theses spaces as feeling like family.
Fiyori talked about feeling more settled through charity clubs where young people shared food from their cultures (read by an actor).
Fiyori talked about feeling more settled through charity clubs where young people shared food from their cultures (read by an actor).
When I was with my foster I used to cook sometimes. But the club is so good, especially for someone who doesn’t cook. I think, for me, I can cook, so sometimes when I cook, I cook my traditional food.
So it was fun. But for someone, especially for the boys from our country, they don’t cook.
Only they can eat are Injera or traditional food is when they go to the club.
Yeah. I think that’s really about the food, that’s really helpful for the boys.
For me, so when I need to eat injera, my... as I told you, my foster really helped me, so she will tell me to buy injera, I will go out and buy injera, then cook.
Yeah, so... But still, when you eat injera with young people from your country, there are people who want to try your food and you feel like it’s diverse and there are people who like your culture, and yeah, I feel like home and settle.
Winta explained that the charity clubs helped her build routine, simplify tasks, and feel cared for.
Winta explained that the charity clubs helped her build routine, simplify tasks, and feel cared for.
I wish they could support more people. They’re really good. From like the first day that I met them, it’s always been them trying to create sort of like a structure to my life and simplify things that I need to do. So, I don’t know how to put it in words, but they’ve been really supportive.
Uh-huh.
Even after moving out of [City], they still stay in touch and ask: “How are things going? Is there anything we can help with?” and that means a lot. It’s really helpful. I think it’s also really good how they deal with young people in their organisation. That they understand that there’s a lot going on in their lives, so they try not to centre the... like the activities around that. A lot of other organisations do that, like when you go there it’s all about like: ‘oh, you’re an asylum seeker, or you’re a care leaver, you’re this and that,’ but there it’s just like... they just accept you for being you, and I think that’s really good.
Building independence while building language
As they learned English and adjusted to life here, young people were also very busy navigating budgeting, travel, college, computer skills and managing housing. One young person told us they travelled 90 minutes to college after being relocated, paying high travel costs while still learning how to manage money and daily life. They wanted support but did not always know what to ask for, or what support was available to them.
Fiyori said that learning to use computers had been hard, and she couldn’t afford the apps that were recommended (read by an actor).
Fiyori said that learning to use computers had been hard, and she couldn’t afford the apps that were recommended (read by an actor).
And they promised me they will get help for me to learn how to work in the computer and things, but they didn’t do that. I asked for that one.
OK. So how are you doing your homework? Is that all on paper, or do they have computers at college for you to use?—
Mm, they... yes, there is a computer class.
OK.
But... so... yeah, at that time in like 30 minute, and at that period, if you don’t do it well, your teacher will come and help you, but still you need more.
Mm, it’s not enough?
Yeah. And I want to do it by myself, but when you download an app or ask someone how do you learn how to write, and people write quickly and something like that, they... they told me there is an app, typewriting.
I try to practice on that, but it ask you to pay.
Progress strengthened identity
Achievements mattered deeply, from passing courses to volunteering and becoming youth champions. These milestones helped rebuild young people’s confidence and belonging, showing them they could succeed despite uncertainty about the future and difficult beginnings.
Abdul felt loved and looked after when he finally got an address and could register with a GP, dentist, and optician.
Abdul felt loved and looked after when he finally got an address and could register with a GP, dentist, and optician.
Then they’ll tell you that you got an address, and then from there, you go to move to the address that you got. And then, from then, I think that’s when my life started, I think so. ’cause I came to this country last year, and then after... I moved to [City], it was like maybe two or three month was just wasted, just moving me from place to place, and stuff. And then, when I came to [City], everything started from the beginning.
I already started before, but it wasn’t nothing necessary, ’cause when I came to [City], I applied for GP, optician, the dentist, everything started. And then, I was kind of happy at the moment, at that time, ’cause I thought I had someone who was taking care of me. I thought someone... I had someone who loves me.
Mohamed said that getting housing and legal support around his age dispute made him feel more settled (read by an actor).
Mohamed said that getting housing and legal support around his age dispute made him feel more settled (read by an actor).
Now college is great. I'm more settled because I have a place to stay, and with the age assessment, my lawyer is following it up. I think he's going to go to court. We're waiting on that. But I'm more settled than before.
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