Getting to Know Me is a detailed and interactive resource designed to help refugee and asylum-seeking children express their stories, experiences, and emotions in a safe and supportive way. Developed with a child-centred approach, this toolkit provides a structured framework for exploring a child’s background, journey, and personal needs.
What Is This Resource About?
This tool, developed by Derby City Council, is aimed at professionals working with children from refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds, such as social workers, educators, and counsellors. It facilitates meaningful conversations about their life experiences, cultural identity, and emotional wellbeing.
The resource includes:
- Personal History: Helps children share information about their home country, family, and friends, offering insights into their background and support networks.
- Journey and Emotions: Guides children to reflect on their migration journey, using visual aids and helpsheets to describe feelings of excitement, fear, sadness, or safety.
- Daily Routines and Interests: Encourages children to share what they enjoyed in their home country and what activities they’d like to explore now.
- Safety and Wellbeing: Assesses what makes the child feel safe or unsafe, helping caregivers provide targeted support.
- Cultural Identity: Explores traditions, religion, food, and language, promoting a sense of belonging and identity in a new environment.
How It Supports Professionals and Children
- Building Trust: Helps create a safe space for children to share their experiences and build connections with caregivers.
- Empowering Voices: Ensures the child’s perspective is heard and informs decision-making processes.
- Tailored Support: Provides actionable insights to develop personalised care plans that address the child’s unique needs and preferences.
This resource is an essential tool for fostering understanding and trust with refugee and asylum-seeking children. It enables professionals to gather the voice of the child in a compassionate and respectful way, promoting a sense of security, belonging, and hope for the future.