MA thesis, Working for children and young people (Youth Work Initial Qualifying) degree.

In order to deliver effective youth work, support must be tailored to the specific needs of the young people. In the last 12 months, the UK has received 74,751 asylum applications with 75% resulting in a grant of asylum or humanitarian protection (Refugee Council, 2023). Of the 74,751 applications, there were a total of 5,152 applications from unaccompanied children currently separated from their parents and family members (Refugee Council, 2023). With a lack of family identified, youth work is pivotal in facilitating; personal, social and educational development, and helping them find their voice, influence and place in society, allowing them to achieve their full potential (Youth Work in Wales Principles and Purposes (YWIWPAP), 2023).

The aims of this thesis are to:

• Explore the significance, if any, of ‘belonging’ for young, male, refugees and asylum seekers in Newport.
• To explore the enablers and barriers to ‘belonging’ for young, male, refugees and asylum seekers in Newport.
• To gather data, providing local youth provisions and policymakers the opportunity to tailor services to create a sense of belonging for young, male, refugees and asylum seekers in Newport.