Seeking solace in Scotland: disrupted belonging in an unfamiliar territory

Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors (UASMs) represent a vulnerable and often overlooked group in the broader immigration discourse despite accounting for roughly 4% of all forced migration (Rigby et. al., 2021). A UASM is defined as young person under 18 arriving in Scotland without a parent or guardian (Scottish Government). UASM’s leave behind familiar landscapes in search of safety, often as a result of misleading auspicious promises; and even more concerning, due to trafficking, (around 40% of all UASMs). Although there is a dearth of research available in Scotland, Rigby et. al., (2021) highlight that on arrival their needs are similar to those seeking safety elsewhere.

Much of the existing research addresses the immediate health and medical needs of unaccompanied minors (Hodes 2002; Goodman 2004; Thomas et. al., 2004; Whittaker et al. 2005; Chase, et. al., 2008). Acknowledging the significance of these aspects, this research examines a disrupted belonging. This paper will present findings from an ongoing evaluation of South Lanarkshire’s continuing care service, the service responsible for the care of UASMs within the local authority. By bringing together the narratives of UASM’s and those who support the young people this paper will explore the systemic challenges, limited resources, language barriers, cultural adjustments, trauma support, and the emotional strains that are experienced by UASMs and those who work with them when seeking solace in Scotland. It reveals how when arriving to Scotland the expectations of belonging are often broken as a result of impossible expectations being unmet and a need to reframe where to belong may occur.