Practitioner competencies for working with refugee children and young people: A scoping review

Abstract

Research indicates that refugee and asylum seeker children and young people often require specialised psychological support. Competencies have been established as helpful in guiding the training, education and ongoing professional development of practitioners working in specialised areas. To date there has been no comprehensive review of the literature concerning practitioner competencies for working with refugee or asylum seeker children and young people. This scoping review therefore aimed to synthesise all literature regarding practitioner competencies that are considered important for working in the area of mental health with refugee and asylum seeker children and young people. Literature was sourced from PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed. Studies were included if they: a) were published in peer-reviewed journals, b) were published in English, c) were published in the last 25 years, d) collected primary data, e) related to children and/or young people (defined as aged under 25) with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds, and f) discussed practitioner competencies (in relation to refugee or asylum seeker children or young people). Nine articles met criteria and a deductive thematic analysis identified six key competencies: 1) knowledge of the complexity of needs of refugees; 2) use of holistic approaches; 3) ability to work in co-ordination with others in the child's network; 4) ability to build therapeutic relationships; 5) seeking feedback; and 6) cultural competency. Further empirical research that directly aims to identify practitioner competencies, from both the practitioner and client perspective, will support the challenging work done by practitioners working with refugee and asylum seeker children and young people.

Refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced trauma: Thematic synthesis of therapeutic boundary considerations

“…The ‘clinical‐political’ concept is debated within the literature. The importance of paying attention to social and structural determinants of mental health in clinical interventions and working towards systemic changes, through clinical advocacy and addressing urgent psychosocial issues, is widely acknowledged (Bäärnhielm & Schouler‐Ocak, 2022; Bhui, 2022; Charlés, 2012; Due & Currie, 2022; Kirmayer et al, 2018). Some therapists expressed challenges conceptualising psycho‐social supports as therapeutic, and not working on ‘deeper’ issues, due to chaotic environments; thus, boundary crossings (e.g.…”

The Experience of Legal Transition for Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Children

“…Studies highlight the critical role of community support, peer networks, and family cohesion in fostering a sense of belonging and stability amidst their tumultuous transitions (Chuah et al, 2018;Connolly, 2014). Furthermore, the experiences of these children within the educational system and their access to health and social services are pivotal to their overall development and well-being (Crawley, 2010;Due & Currie, 2021). However, the journey to asylum is marred by challenges, including encounters with immigration authorities and detention experiences that can exacerbate their vulnerabilities and trauma (Hopkins & Hill, 2008).…”

Training in cultural psychiatry: Translating research into improvements in mental health care for migrants

“…Due and Currie (2022) stress the importance of paying attention to social determinants of health and point out that this framework has not previously been considered in existing guidelines, such as those of the American Psychological Association (2010). They argue for a practitioner focus on supporting psychological needs and more urgent psychosocial issues, such as advocacy with housing and employment agencies, as key areas of best practice.…”

“…For example, Shors and Kroll (2022) clarify some principles for grounding the flexible boundary work necessary to deliver culturally competent care to refugees. Due and Currie (2022) identify key competencies for professionals working in mental health with refugee children and young people. However, they also note the lack of research regarding practitioner competence for working with asylum-seeking children.…”

“…This special issue includes a scoping review synthesizing literature on practitioner competencies important for mental health care with refugee or asylum-seeking children and young people (Due & Currie, 2022). The authors identify six key competencies: 1) knowledge of the complexity of the needs of refugees; 2) use of holistic approaches; 3) ability to work in co-ordination with others in a child's network; 4) ability to build therapeutic relationships; 5) seeking feedback; and 6) cultural competence.…”