Young Refugee and Migrant Children and their families
A First Years, First Priority campaign thematic paper.
The available data shows that refugee children and children with a migrant background, in Europe, are at greater risk of poverty and social exclusion and receive less government support when support measures depend on the child’s or parental residence status.
Their irregular migration status impacts their psycho-social development, increases the possibility that they experience poverty, social isolation, immigration detention (which is always a child rights violation), and exposes them to pushbacks at and within EU borders, deportation, homelessness, and child-unfriendly justice systems. Governments have an essential role in fostering a welcoming environment for young refugees and migrants by offering inclusive early childhood development services.
