Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
This project was conducted in an under-researched study area. Most recent research on refugee children indicate that they are a very diverse group, coming from a wide range of countries and social backgrounds, but that they have some experiences in common, and that these affect refugee children more than other groups of children - the experience of overwhelmingly traumatic events which may lead to a need for psychological interventions; being targeted for bullying, often of a racist nature, and isolation in school; the likelihood of having parents who are unemployed, living in temporary accommodation and thus economically disadvantaged; the likelihood of needing support in learning English; and the possibility of having to act as interpreters and advocates for parents who speak less English than they do. The study was called 'Extraordinary Childhoods' because of the upheavals and trauma refugee children experience and how they have to cope with life in a strange country, in often taxing circumstances. The study was implemented in collaboration with the Refugee Council and benefited from the support of an advisory committee which included members of refugee community organisations. Stage 1 of the research consisted of case studies of around 30 refugee children, drawn from four major groups of recent asylum seekers. Stage 2 consisted of a survey conducted in two London schools with refugee and non-refugee children aged 11-13 years, focusing on their social roles and social networks. Users should note that the Data Archive only holds data from Stage 2 of the research (the questionnaire).The objectives of the study were:using a case study approach (Stage 1 of the research), to contribute to knowledge of the lives of refugee children, and by doing so to advance the theoretical study of children as social actors;to provide information useful to policy makers and others concerned with the welfare of refugee families, both children and parents.The research questions were structured around the areas of refugee children's experience in their families and in peer group networks, refugee children as users of services, and the children's expectations of the future.
Main Topics:
The questionnaire was structured around personal details and self-identity, family and home, friendship networks, school life, leisure pursuits, feelings and emotions and future outlook.
Purposive selection/case studies
two classes selected from each year group that included refugee children
Self-completion
questionnaires administered by researchers on a class-by-class basis in both schools
