A Safe Place to Land: How Supported Accommodation Transforms Lives for Separated Migrant Children

When a young person arrives in the UK alone, without family, community, or familiarity, what they need most is somewhere safe, stable, and supportive. At Oasis Care, we believe supported accommodation should offer more than just shelter. It should provide a foundation to rebuild a life.

“When she first arrived, she barely made eye contact. Now, she chats to staff in the kitchen while making tea. That’s the power of safety and consistency.”— Mark, Support Worker at Oasis Care

This article explores how we work with separated migrant children, also known as Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) to create a sense of home, belonging, and future. Whether you're a commissioner seeking specialist placements or someone looking to understand how care providers are making a difference, this is our story, and theirs.

A Growing Need, A Clear Responsibility

The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in care continues to rise, 7,300 young people were in the UK care system as of March 2024 (Department for Education, 2024), many of them aged 16–17.

These young people have crossed borders, war zones, oceans, some quite literally risking everything for safety. And when they arrive, many are placed into supported accommodation. In fact, 61% of UASC now live in this type of provision (Ofsted, 2024).That’s where providers like Oasis come in. But this isn’t just about numbers, it’s about doing it right.

What 'Doing It Right' Means in Practice

With Ofsted registration now mandatory for supported accommodation providers, the bar has rightly been raised, and we welcome that. Because safeguarding, transparency, and quality should never be optional.

At Oasis Care, we’ve built our model around:

• Trauma-informed practice that doesn’t overwhelm

• Culturally sensitive support, from food to faith spaces

• Small, structured environments that feel like home

• Trained key workers who build real relationships

I’ve seen how this kind of approach transforms a young person’s confidence. One resident, a 16-year-old girl from Sudan, arrived barely speaking above a whisper. With patience, encouragement, and the right wraparound support, she now attends college, laughs freely, and even helped another new arrival settle in.

It wasn’t a miracle. It was consistent care in the right environment.

Why This Matters to Commissioners

Commissioning the right placement for a young person is never just a tick-box exercise, it’s a matter of safety, stability, and long-term impact. For commissioners, every decision must balance complex care needs, safeguarding responsibilities, financial pressures, and tight timeframes.

At Oasis Care, we understand the weight of those decisions. We know what commissioners are up against, and we’ve built our supported accommodation services to be a reliable partner in that process.

Here’s what we deliver:

• Ofsted and CQC- registered care: Both Riverside Court and Langley House are fully registered

• Cultural competence: Staff receive UASC-specific training and we adapt to each young person’s needs

• Placement flexibility: We have current availability and can respond quickly

• Transparency and communication: We provide consistent reporting, attend reviews, and work with your teams

We’re not just looking to fill beds. We’re here to build partnerships that prioritise outcomes, not just occupancy.

A Real-Life Impact

Not long ago, we welcomed a young girl who had spent weeks in a hotel, isolated and frightened. Within weeks at Riverside Court, she was eating communal meals, decorating her room, and asking about college.

That shift wasn’t just because of a room. It was because she felt safe, seen, and supported. That’s what supported accommodation can offer when it’s done well.

Let’s Talk

We currently have vacancies at both Riverside Court and Langley House, and we’re open to new referrals. If you’re placing separated young people and want to talk through our model, availability, or how we support outcomes, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

👉 Contact us: https://www.oasiscareukgroup.com/contact-10

👉 our Supported Accommodation page: https://www.oasiscareukgroup.com/riverside-court-home

For commissioners and professionals: here’s a one-page briefing on outcomes, compliance and next steps.

References

Department for Education (2024). Children looked after in England including adoptions.Ofsted (2024). Children’s social care data in England 2025: official statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childrens-social-care-data-in-england-2025-official-statistics