How to support unaccompanied children in migration?

A new report from the GUIDE project, which aims to strengthen protection for unaccompanied children across Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland and Slovakia, features key lessons on what guardians need to do their job well, what continues to stand in their way, and what can be done to strengthen support for unaccompanied children.

Unlike many publications that focus only on policies or training results, this report puts the experiences of guardians and child protection professionals at the centre, drawing on months of activities held across five European countries and highlighting practical solutions to daily emotional, practical and systemic challenges.

The report identifies recurring themes such as 

• building trust with children, 
• managing trauma, 
• supporting participation in decision-making, 
• working across different services, 
• preventing professional burnout, and 
• ensuring that children with disabilities receive inclusive and appropriate support.

Guardians need a wide range of skills, not just legal knowledge. They should understand children's rights, migration processes, disability inclusion, safeguarding, case management, communication, and how to work with other services. 

Well-trained professionals also need opportunities to exchange experiences, reflect on difficult situations and learn from one another. The findings show that creating spaces for peer support, such as the GUIDE Listening Circles (facilitated peer discussions as a safe space for guardians), can strengthen professional resilience and ultimately improve the quality of care provided to children.

Supporting children with disabilities and developmental difficulties should be a normal part of guardianship practice, not a separate issue. This requires better cooperation between child protection, disability, education, health, and social care services.

Effective guardianship is the outcome of coordinated systems, supportive organisations, informed policies, and communities of practice that enable professionals to protect, advocate for, and support children in meaningful ways.

->Read the full publication in English, Bulgarian, Greek, Italian, Polish, Slovak or Ukrainian