Challenges experienced by representatives of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in Finland

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the challenges experienced by the representatives of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMAS). It answers the question: what challenges do rep-resentatives encounter in their work? The study is under the Empowering Work Research and Development Path of Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Otaniemi). It was done with the approval of Espoo Group and Family Group Homes (Espoon ryhmä- ja perheryhmäkoti). This unit belongs to the city of Espoo and consists of three group homes for UMAS. The target group consisted of six (6) representatives obtained through a snowballing sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews were used for collecting the data and thematic analysis to identify themes from the data. The analysis indicated challenges within six thematic areas namely relationship building, communication, processing of psychological stress, recruitment process, support for representatives and negative attitudes. These challenges occurred in relation to four groups within the scope of the work of representatives, which included UMAS, authorities, representatives themselves and members of the general public. The age and experiences of the UMAS as well as changing of representatives during the asylum process were mentioned as challenging to the relationship building with the UMAS. On the other hand, constant changes of rules and changes of personnel made building and maintaining relationship with the authorities difficult. The negative attitudes were another perspective of the challenges that both the authorities and the general public had towards the work of the representatives. The findings imply that there is a need for representatives to regroup as a collective unit if they are to find support and solutions to the challenges they face.