Refugee children and families in the Republic of Ireland: the response of social work

Abstract

This chapter explores the social work role in the Republic of Ireland in relation to children and families from a forced migration background. It starts by setting the context through a discussion about social work generally, before discussing social work’s role with four different, though interlinked, groups of refugees: families who arrive independently/‘spontaneously’ and seek asylum or international protection; refugees who arrive through organised government resettlement or relocation schemes; unaccompanied minors who arrive through one of the aforementioned routes and who are placed in the care of the state child welfare and protection agency; and people who arrive to be reunited with refugee family members who are already in Ireland. The chapter draws on both Irish and international research to highlight that while social work has a central role in the provision of care and support to unaccompanied minors, the role of social work vis-à-vis the other cohorts has been limited, largely reflecting the general lack of support provided to most refugee groups within the Irish context. It is argued that as Ireland’s international protection system changes in the coming years, the social work profession – if sufficiently resourced – has the capacity to position itself centrally, not only in the provision of services to people from a forced migration background, but also in shaping policy development and research agendas.