Direct provision ‘harming children and adults’ seeking asylum

A survey of social workers has found that most believe direct provision is having a short and long-term impact on children and is also damaging the capacity of adult asylum seekers to parent to their full potential.

The survey of almost 150 social workers also showed that mental health difficulties were the main reason for referrals made to them in relation to asylum seekers over the past two years.

The social workers surveyed also indicated problems with the asylum seeker system which hindered their ability to deliver services to those in direct provision.