Young asylum-seekers being left homeless and hungry, charity warns
Janaki Mahadevan
Friday, February 24, 2012
Refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children and young people are being left homeless and hungry, according to the latest report by The Children's Society.
The report I Don’t Feel Human was prompted by a rise in the number of destitute young people accessing The Children’s Society’s services.
Between April and September last year, the proportion of young asylum-seekers accessing the charity’s services in London who were destitute reached 34 per cent – 46 out of the 133 young clients. This was a jump from the 2010/11 figure of 17 per cent.
The Children’s Society’s policy director Enver Solomon said: "We estimate that thousands of children exist in the shadows of our communities, having their lives damaged by an approach that irresponsibly prioritises immigration control above the best interests of children.
"The UK Border Agency (UKBA) and local authorities have a duty to safeguard these children, who are no less deserving than any other. Yet it appears they are being treated as though they have some kind of second-class status that does not entitle them to the necessary protection and support."
Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 the term "destitute" is defined as someone who does not have, or cannot obtain adequate accommodation, food and other essential items.
Children and families subject to immigration control are unable to access mainstream benefits and asylum-seekers who do not have regular immigration status are not allowed to work.
According to the charity, destitute families with very young children, but no access to work or welfare support, are living in severe deprivation, in some cases for several years.
Young people who were destitute reported serious illness and mental health problems. Some self-harmed and attempted suicide, others supported by the charity’s services have been forced into sexual relationships in exchange for shelter or food.
To address this, The Children’s Society has recommended that child poverty statistics should capture all asylum-seeking children living in poverty. It also said progress reports as part of the Child Poverty Strategy should consider children and young people from asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant communities in order to ensure that eradicating child poverty is achieved for all children regardless of immigration status.
Solomon added: "Often having fled danger in their country of birth, they are exposed to great dangers in this country because they lack a sufficient safety net.
"Far too many are being forced to fend for themselves having slept rough, been victims of violence on the streets or coerced into sexual relationships with strangers just for a place to stay.
"The uncomfortable truth is that children are being left hungry and homeless at acute risk without recourse to sufficient support. This must be recognised as a priority child protection issue so that these children are given the support and protection they desperately need."
The charity is now calling on the government to introduce a cash-based support system for asylum-seekers as well as those who have been refused asylum to ensure that no child has to survive below an acceptable level. The level of support should stand as 100 per cent of income support for children under 18 and at least 70 per cent for adults where accommodation is provided and should be adjusted annually in line with mainstream benefits.
Local authorities are also called on to make sure leaving care provisions are available to all looked-after children regardless of their immigration status.
The charity wants permission to work to be granted to all asylum-seeking parents and young adults if their claim for asylum has not been concluded within six months.
Central and local government should also explore strategies to build children and young people’s resilience through participation work according to the charity.