The overall aim of this literature review is to summarise and synthesiseresearch on the return and (re)integration of children in migrant families,focusing on their education, integration and health, as well as the opportunitiesand obstacles for a successful return and (re)integration process. The ultimategoal of the review is to contribute with knowledge to the creation of moretools for public officials involved in this process, thereby providing children inmigrant families with better opportunities to prepare and mobilise resourcesprior to return. This could also facilitate their long-term adjustment in thecountry of return.
Maintaining regular migration and increasing the return of migrants who aredenied residence in the host country is a high priority for many Europeancountries, including Sweden. However, it is also crucial that the asylum andreturn process is permeated by a child rights approach, which manyauthorities in Sweden have recognised and worked towards. In this respect,children in migrant families are considered to be a particularly vulnerablegroup. Research shows that they often feel uninformed and their level ofparticipation in the return process is described as low. This can lead tofeelings of shock and uprootedness upon return, which can affect children'spsychosocial health.
Research also highlights the challenges of integrating children from migrantfamilies into new education systems upon return. Difficulties in speaking andwriting their mother tongue, a new and unfamiliar educational context, lack ofcompetence of school staff, as well as administrative and economic barrierscan all contribute to limiting children's educational opportunities. In addition,children in families returning to their country of origin are often subject tobullying and social exclusion due to their status as returnees, lack of socio-cultural knowledge or language difficulties. In this context, social networkscan be important resources and peer relatives can act as guides andfacilitators of integration.
The review identified several knowledge gaps. For example, there is a lack ofstudies using longitudinal data to show how children's situations develop overtime. The few studies that do exist suggest that some initial problems, such asa lack of socio-cultural belonging and social integration, tend to disappear ordiminish over time. However, it is not possible to deduce how other factors,such as living conditions and access to resources, might affect their9adjustment over time. There is also a lack of studies that examine the impactof other background factors relevant to children, such as age, gender andsocio-economic background. The few studies that do examine these factorssuggest that some groups, such as girls and adolescents, may be morevulnerable than others.
Based on the findings of this review, a number of recommendations are made. One suggestion is that there should be a clearer and more developed divisionof responsibilities between the public agencies involved in the return process.It should also be considered whether a single agency could be given a moreholistic role for children in migrant families during this process. In addition,there is a need for more qualitative guidelines and methods for public officialswho are involved in the return process of migrant families or who regularlymeet with children in migrant families prior to return. Information andparticipatory work on children in migrant families during the return processneeds to be developed in a more child-friendly and individualised way, as achild's situation may differ depending on factors such as length of stay in thehost country, gender, age and socio-economic background.