How can schools support wellbeing and integration of refugee students? Voices From the Classroom

Over the past decade, Europe has witnessed an unprecedented influx of refugees, including millions of children. Education, recognised as a fundamental human right, plays a crucial role in their wellbeing and integration. Schools become key spaces where these children rebuild identity, form relationships, and develop resilience. Yet, their perspectives on supportive school practices remain underrepresented in the literature. The first paper in this thesis is a systematic literature review examining school-based supports that refugee children in European schools themselves found helpful for their wellbeing. The review highlights the importance of whole-school, long-term strategies that go beyond emergency responses to foster genuine inclusion. Key themes include the role of school climate, teacher-student relationships, and barriers to wellbeing. The second paper is a qualitative study exploring how Ukrainian refugee children experience support in mainstream Irish schools. Based on four focus groups, the findings reveal a range of academic, social, and practical supports, alongside persistent challenges to wellbeing and integration. The study offers implications for psychologists and presents a practical guide for school staff to promote more inclusive and supportive environments.