BASW Member Blog | The shifting landscape of family reunification for refugees in the UK

Family separation 

Most social workers across adults and children’s services will experience issues around family separation at some point during their career. Family members being separated often presents complex challenges that can have lasting effects for those involved. As practitioners we are often required to assess and respond to these situations with a balanced approach, recognising the emotional impact while maintaining a focus on safety, stability, and the best interests of those concerned.

Changes in legislation 

There has been much in news of late with regards to immigration, and in September the government made a decision to pause the current refugee family reunion route, preventing new applications for refugees to bring close family members to the UK under the original scheme .  

Family reunion has been one of the only safe legal routes for refugees, particularly women and children. In 2024–25, over 20,000 visas were granted, the vast majority to women and children. Critics of the government’s decision to suspend the route say that it risks prolonged separation, worsening mental health, and may push some relatives towards dangerous migration journeys. 

The Home Office describes the pause as temporary, while it redesigns the system to balance family needs with pressures on local services, including housing and support, and states that refugees wishing to reunite with relatives must now apply under the standard family migration rules, which include having an income of £29,000 per annum ,housing, and English language requirements, which are unattainable for many. 

In my role as an independent social worker I’ve assessed families for reunification in places including Afghanistan, Gaza, and Sudan, all of which are facing real challenges and uncertain futures.  I’ve seen first-hand how ongoing separation can impact on children, and parents alike, and it’s difficult to imagine a reality in which one needs to leave their home without their loved ones.

Policy and Practice 

It’s well known that the Children Act makes children’s welfare paramount, including the importance of family life, but it’s also the case that Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 requires the Home Office to safeguard and promote children’s welfare in immigration decisions. Critics of the recent policy shift warn the suspension may conflict with these duties. Only last week (8th October), we saw a legal challenge at the Court of Appeal brought by a separated child in the UK wishing to reunite with his parents, with the Court deciding that the government will have to review its policy with regard to giving consideration to the child’s best interest.

As social workers we are continually navigating the intersection of policy and practice, where decisions made at a national level ripple through the lives of the individuals and families we support. The suspension of the refugee family reunion route invites us to reflect not only on the legal frameworks that guide our work, but also on the ethical responsibilities we hold in advocating for family life and child welfare. In a climate of shifting immigration policy and anti-asylum rhetoric, it is more important than ever to remain critically engaged, asking how these changes align with our professional values, and what role we play in ensuring that the voices of separated families are heard and considered in the systems that will shape their futures.

Practical steps 

For social workers in children and families and adult services there is room to provide support and advice for the relative who wishes to reunite with family, which includes:

• Recognise the impact of prolonged separation and provide emotional support, especially where children are involved.
• Support contact with families abroad and recommend that records of phone contact and messaging are kept and stored.
• Help to connect people with agencies that can help, such as Asylum Aid, Safe Passage, and the Refugee Council.
• Raise awareness by sharing the issue within your teams