Identity scaffolding as a moral need in the caretaking of unaccompanied refugee minors

Background Unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) represent one of the most vulnerable groups within the global refugee population, having fled armed conflict without familial support. Although policies in high-income countries secure URMs’ basic rights—housing, education, healthcare and legal protection—these standardised frameworks frequently neglect the sociocultural and relational dimensions of identity integral to their well-being. Objective To articulate the moral imperative of identity scaffolding in URM care, demonstrating how current approaches enforce assimilation, exacerbate identity distress and fail to promote long-term integration and mental health. Methods This conceptual paper draws on interdisciplinary literatures—including policy analyses, identity theory, socioecological models and psychosocial research—to critique existing UK and EU interventions for URMs. It synthesises empirical findings on URMs’ experiences of cultural dislocation, systemic inequities and resilience mechanisms, and integrates illustrative case examples from media and non-governmental organisation (NGO) reports. Results Three core themes were identified: Systemic inequities and assimilation pressures: Host-country policies often prioritise uniform legal compliance and assimilation metrics over cultural continuity, leading to social alienation and identity confusion. Identity distress as a key mediator: Psychological constructs of identity distress explain URMs’ chronic anxiety, role uncertainty and emotional turmoil when forced to navigate conflicting cultural norms without adequate support. Relational identity scaffolding: Evidence indicates that pairing URMs with culturally matched foster carers or mentors—and embedding participatory, culturally attentive practices in schools, social services and healthcare—enhances resilience, fosters a stable sense of self and improves educational and mental health outcomes. Conclusions A shift from ‘tick-box’ integration to an identity-centred framework is both ethically necessary and practically effective. Policymakers should implement identity impact assessments, invest in culturally informed mentorship and mental-health services, and engage URMs in codesigning support programmes. Such measures can mitigate identity distress, bolster civic inclusion and guide future research on the political dimensions of national identity curation.