UMA – Unaccompanied minor foreign nationals
Protection. Orientation. Perspective.
A particularly vulnerable group
Unaccompanied minor foreign nationals (UMA) are a particularly vulnerable group within child and youth welfare.
When minors enter Germany unaccompanied, special protection and procedural rules under the German Social Code VIII apply. These include provisional protective custody under section 42a and protective custody under section 42 of the German Social Code VIII.
UMA is not a distinct form of assistance, but describes a particular target group. The subsequent youth welfare support is determined by the individual need and the relevant assistance plan.
Our educational focus
Miro Sozialdienste supports unaccompanied minor foreign nationals in particular with:
- Finding their bearings in a new living environment
- Developing a stable daily routine
- Integration at school and educational planning
- Developing language skills
- Promoting social and cultural integration
- Managing personal and social pressures
- Developing independence
- Preparing for a self-responsible life
- Navigating authorities and everyday life
- Building sustainable social relationships
- Developing a realistic perspective for the future
Intercultural and multilingual support
Our intercultural approach creates low-threshold access for young people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Depending on need and availability, we can draw on multilingual professionals or our professional network.
Frequently asked questions
What does UMA mean and what support do unaccompanied minors receive?
UMA stands for unaccompanied minor foreign nationals, often also called unaccompanied minor refugees. It refers to young people under 18 who arrive in Germany without a person with custody or parenting responsibility. UMA is a target group, not a separate type of support. The youth welfare office clarifies protection, care and the individually appropriate youth welfare service.
Who organises the support and how does contact with Miro come about?
In the event of unaccompanied entry, the youth welfare office is initially responsible for provisional taking into care and further protective steps. Subsequent support is planned with the young person and their legal representative. Youth welfare offices can refer enquiries to Miro Sozialdienste for suitable educational support. The responsible youth welfare office decides on the type of support and commissioning.
Who covers the costs of outpatient UMA support?
If outpatient youth welfare is approved for an unaccompanied minor, the responsible youth welfare office funds the agreed educational support. The designation UMA alone determines neither the type nor scope of support. Questions of accommodation, living costs and further benefits are clarified separately in the respective assistance process.
What does Miro specifically support unaccompanied minor refugees with?
Our educational work supports arrival, a reliable daily structure, school integration and preparation for an independent life. This also includes language support in everyday life, social contacts and orientation in matters involving authorities. Goals and scope are based on individual need and the agreed assistance plan.
Is support possible even without good German language skills?
Language communication is taken into account when planning support. Miro Sozialdienste works interculturally and, depending on need and availability, can involve multilingual professionals or its professional network. Whether support is available in a particular language is clarified in each case.
Does youth welfare for UMA automatically end at age 18?
Minority ends at the 18th birthday, but there may still be a need for support. Support for young adults under section 41 SGB VIII is possible if its requirements are met. The young person submits the application themselves. The transition, further support and responsibility should therefore be discussed in good time before adulthood.
Our approach combines educational expertise, intercultural competence, reliability and clear orientation.
Contact us