Summarizes the results of interviews with Somali and Eritrean refugee parents about which community services they most used and most needed for their children. Based on a larger document that contains practice guidelines for resettlement professionals and social services agencies, this report concentrates on in-depth interviews conducted in 20 families’ homes in and around London. Among the key findings were that: (1) the parents felt a deep sense of isolation, insecurity, and fear; (2) a limited grasp of English and a lack of interpreters meant that parents could not take full advantage of education and health services; and (3) refugees’ unique physical and mental health problems, as distinct from those of migrants, were most often not recognized by either health and social services professionals or educators. Among the additional services the parents requested were: additional, long-term English language support for their children throughout their schooling; clubs for their children that combined play, cultural activities, English language support, and supplemental education; and health services aimed at the particular needs of refugees. The interview process also identified several types of successful services, including outreach to refugee communities.
