Refugee children from Syria who arrive in Ireland face major challenges and need greater supports in a number of areas, including mental health and education, a report by the Children's Rights Alliance has found.

The report is based on consultations with 77 people, including children, parents, teachers and service providers. According to one of its authors, Dr Karen Smith, "what shone through from our study was the eagerness of young refugees and their parents to participate in Irish society and their aspirations for a bright future in Ireland".

However, the report also found that these children need more support in a range of areas. For example, some have been severely traumatised by their time spent in Syria, their long and difficult journeys out of Syria and long periods in limbo. As a result, settling into their new life in Ireland can pose problems.

"Parents and stakeholders reported issues for some children such as bedwetting, nightmares or having difficulties sleeping. Interviews with education and health professionals suggest that the effects of trauma among refugee children can manifest in different ways from overt behavioural issues to withdrawal or disengagement.

"Professionals were concerned that some children are struggling emotionally. Educational and other professionals working with refugee children and parents need to receive training on trauma awareness, yet this is not routinely available," the alliance said.

When it comes to general health and mental health, refugee children, like many in Ireland, can have problems accessing appropriate services, due to, among other things, long waiting lists.

In relation to mental health, their parents can also have debilitating problems, but do not get the help that they need.

When it comes to education, the report found that while extra supports to help learning and integrations can work well, they are not available to everybody. Schools are doing their best, but with limited resources. They need greater capacity and resources to meet the learning, language and emotional needs of refugee children.

The report also pointed out that language can impact a child's ability to learn at school, make friends and access healthcare. While language supports are provided, they are not always enough, it said.

"A key message from the young people who participated in the study related to the importance of not treating refugees as a homogenous group. Instead, policy makers and service providers need to be aware of differences in backgrounds and experiences and ensure that service provision is needs-focused, child-centred and individualised," commented the report's co-author, Dr Muireann Ní Raghallaigh.

The report, Safe Haven: A Study on the Needs of Refugee Children Arriving in Ireland through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, was commissioned by the Children's Rights Alliance and carried out by Dr Muireann Ní Raghallaigh and Dr Karen Smith from the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice in UCD.