At home abroad: The life experiences of children of Eastern European migrant workers in Scotland
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Counselling
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Daniela Sime (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Daniela Sime (Author)
(2008)
Ethical aspects of conducting qualitative research with migrant children
Rachael Fox (Author)
(2009)
Eastern European children's family and peer relationships after migration : implications for policy and practice
Sime, D
(2012)
At home abroad: Children and young people's report
Sime D
(2014)
Migrant Children, Social Capital and Access to Services Post-Migration: Transitions, Negotiations and Complex Agencies
in Children & Society
Sime D
(2014)
Home abroad: Eastern European children's family and peer relationships after migration
in Childhood
| Description | This project aimed to provide a unique understanding of the experiences of Eastern European children settling in Scotland since 2004 as a result of their parents' migration for work purposes. It explored the effect of family migration on children's lives, their family and peer relationships, and sense of identity. It also aimed to identify the main challenges children were faced with after migration, their coping strategies in response to the new social and institutional environments and their views on public and private services available to them. Data was collected through focus groups and family case studies, using child-centred research methods. In total, 57 children from 10 Eastern European countries participated in focus groups and 22 in-depth family case studies were completed. In addition, 19 interviews were carried out with service providers (education, leisure, health) working with migrant families and 120 teachers participated in small group discussions. Findings revealed that despite their lack of agency in the migration process, children showed great adaptability skills and adjusted well to life in Scotland, learning English and making new friends. Their experiences varied considerably, depending on their family circumstances and their own resilience. School was the main service accessed by migrant children, and enjoying school and feeling accepted were key to their general experience of migration. Whilst political debate and policy has focussed on restrictions on new migrants, a more positive and coherent approach is needed to provide support and appropriate services for new migrant groups, especially children. |
| Exploitation Route | The project findings provide insights for practitioners working with migrant groups, policy makers and the general public on how children deal with family migration and resettlement and can be used to raise awareness of teachers and other professionals on the support young people require and how they can enhance young people's opportunities for inclusion and civic participation. They can also be used to inform debates on migration and young people's experiences of relocation. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | The project has had wide societal impact through raising public awareness on the lived experiences of Eastern European migrant children who follow their families abroad and whose experiences has been generally absent from the literature on migration or public debate on migration. It gave the young participants a voice and recognition that their experiences are shared and also recognised the difficulties they are faced with, while also giving them an opportunity to offer ideas on how provision can be improved to support migrant families with children, who are not asylum seekers or refugees. It also engaged with public policy debates and discussions on the agency of migrant children, opportunities for integration and services available, as well as the long-term impact of children's migration on their identity, sense of belonging, family and peer relationships and participation in the civic society. Finally, the project provided insights to practitioners and policy makers on how children deal with family migration and resettlement and raised the awareness of teachers and other professionals on the support young people require and how they can enhance young people's opportunities for inclusion and civic participation. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | At Home Abroad Exhibition- Radio programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A radio interview for IRISS Radio- An internet radio for Scotland's social services http://irissfm.iriss.org.uk/episode/030 Increased requests for presentations and report findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://irissfm.iriss.org.uk/episode/030 |
| Description | At home abroad : Eastern European children's experiences after migration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation given at 'Children, Families and Migration Experience: opportunities and challenges conference' (ESRC sponsored) Follow up publication and increased requests for research report. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | At home abroad: Children's exhibition on migration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An arts exhibition on migration which took place at Scotland Street School Museum in Glasgow, between 1st December 2012-3rd February 2013. Over 10,000 people visited the exhibition, which aimed to challenge negative views on migration and migrants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | At home abroad: Experiences of migration and intercultural activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event at the annual conference of Scottish Association for teachers of English as an additionsl language (SATEAL) Teachers said they will use the project findings to inform their practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Delivering services for new migrant families in times of austerity: challenges for policy and practice |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Event for academics, policy makers, service providers Policy makers and practitioners said that information will support their further activities in relation to migrant groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Delivering services for new migrant families in times of austerity: challenges for policy and practice |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event for academics, policy makers, service providers, to focus on policy interventions and improved practice. Practitioners using the project findings in their work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Eastern European children and young people's experiences of migration in Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation given at Youth Studies Conference: New Agendas on Youth and Young Adulthood, Glasgow, 8th-10th April 2013 Presentation lead to further collaborations with academics and non-academic partners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Eastern European migrant children's access to services in Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of a paper titled "Eastern European migrant children's access to services in Scotland " Not recorded |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Launch of 'Guide for migrant parents on services in Scotland' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Event for families in Glasgow Parents of newly arrived migrant children using the document for information on how to access services, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | Launch of 'Guide for migrant parents on services in Scotland' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Event for families in Glasgow Families using the Guide to get information on services available. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | Migrant children in Scotland: Sharing good practice in supporting new migrant groups |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference for academics, service providers and migrants Improved practice in supporting migrant groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Migrant children in Scotland: Sharing good practice in supporting new migrant groups |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference for academics, service providers and migrants Improved practice in working with migrant groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Migrant children in Scotland: Sharing good practice in supporting new migrant groups |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference for academics, service providers and migrants Practitioners from a range of services receiving information on support migrant families need and being challenged to reflect on their practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Supporting migrant children through services |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop for practitioners from public, private and voluntary organisations working with migrant families Practitioners said they will use the learning from the workshop in their practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |
| Description | Supporting migrant children through services- Edinburgh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event for practitioners and managers from services working with migrant families Increased awareness of migrant children's views and experiences- improvement in practice expected. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Using the GIRFEC framework to deliver better services for migrant children |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event for practitioners, service providers and managers in Glasgow area Participants receiving information on support migrant families need and encouraged to reflect on own practice and implement evidence in their work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Using visual methodologies in research with migrant children |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of paper titled "Using visual methodologies in research with migrant children" Not recorded |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | http://www.migrantchildren.net website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A website providing information on research conducted with Eastern European migrant children in Scotland and their families and the events planned to promote better service delivery for migrant families. Not recorded |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.migrantchildren.net |