Information provision messages

Providing clear and age-appropriate information to asylum-seeking children, including unaccompanied children, is crucial to help them understand their rights, the asylum process, and the support services available to them. Information provision messages for children during their stay in reception should be conveyed in a child-friendly manner, appropriate to their age and maturity. These messages should be provided gradually, with more detailed information adapted to their individual circumstances, complementing the information they received during the arrival phase. This approach ensures they feel safe, informed, and supported, helping them navigate their new environment more effectively and reducing feelings of uncertainty.

General information messages for children (both accompanied and unaccompanied)

Inform children on the below.

• Accommodation, including alternative/mandatory accommodation in facilities for children, for victims of trafficking in human beings, victims of gender-based violence, for single-parent families, etc.
• The main house rules in the reception facility, emphasising those requirements that are very important (e.g. non-violence, gender separation, reporting, daily duties, and routines). 
• The messages related to safety and security, including how to protect themselves in certain situations, where to seek support, and what to do in case of an emergency.
• The mandatory requirements (e.g. access to education) as well as the dedicated services and facilities they might have inside and outside the reception facility (e.g. medical, psychosocial, educational, dedicated activities, playgrounds, children’s rooms, etc.). For example, regarding access to education, children should receive information on who is responsible for their enrolment and contact with the school, the phases of the enrolment process according to the national context ( e.g. preparatory classes, available educational support, including school supplies, transport to the educational facility etc. 
• The social norms in the host country, along with advice on navigating daily life and interactions, including conflict management.
• The main risks they might be exposed to and how to protect themselves, such as the rick of substance misuse or abuse, exploitation, violence etc. 
• The possibility to report any concerns and assurance that every measure is implemented in their benefit to serve their best interests.
• The safety and security assessments and other assessments conducted in reception. 
• What the best interests assessments are, what they consist of and in what situations they are performed. 

Messages for unaccompanied children

Inform unaccompanied children about:

• the appointment of the representative/guardian, their role, and how to contact them.
• age assessment, including in which circumstances it might be required, at what stage of the asylum procedure it occurs, what it consists of, and that consent should be provided by both the child and their representative/guardian. Also, outline the consequences in case of refusal. Read more about information provision messages on this topic in the section ‘Age assessment’. You can use the child-friendly information materials developed by the EUAA (the ‘Age assessment for children’ animation and the ‘All you need to know about age assessment’ booklet)
• family tracing and family reunification for unaccompanied children.
• where to seek support for accessing their rights (e.g. NGOs). 
• the persuasion techniques of smugglers who might pressurise unaccompanied children to move on to another Member State even though this is against the best interest of the child. 

Practical tips

• Simplify complex ideas into easy-to-understand terms, and where possible, use visuals like coloured pictograms, or animations. This will ensure the provision of child-friendly and age-appropriate information, help capture children’s attention and support their comprehension. Oral information provision should complement information materials (posters, brochures) and animations, never replace it. 
• Reiterate essential information across various contexts and through diverse means to ensure children receive and understand it effectively. For example, information about hygiene practices can be reiterated through interactive methods like games and demonstrations, enhancing children’s understanding. Instructions on personal safety can be reinforced through storytelling sessions and role-playing scenarios, allowing children to internalise key concepts and apply them in various situations.
• Design information materials for professionals working with children in reception, such as representatives, guardians, teachers, and social workers, through collaborative efforts between the reception authority and NGOs. This collaboration is particularly beneficial since many of these professionals are mandated to work with these children and provide them with accurate information. These materials should offer detailed guidance, strategies, and resources to enhance their information provision sessions. 
• Continuously evaluate the child’s best interests and customise the messages according to their specific needs, in a child-friendly and age-appropriate manner.
• Prepare a set of questions to check children’s understanding of the information provided and be ready to reply to any questions they might pose.