Kamena Dorling, head of policy and programmes at Coram Children's Legal Centre, examines how long-awaited guidance could help social workers assess the age of children seeking asylum.

Abdul arrived in the UK aged 16, looking for safety and support after years of suffering and abuse in Afghanistan. However, without any documentation he could not prove his age, and children's services assessed him to be an adult. The basis of the conclusion was that he looked older than 16 and was "deliberately trying to make himself appear younger". He was sent to Home Office accommodation, where he was housed with adult men.

Months later, despite concerns raised by a nurse helping Abdul with his mental health problems, he was detained in an adult immigration removal centre. After a court ordered his release, he was assessed by another local authority, who found that he was the age he had always claimed to be. This whole process took a year, during which time Abdul was detained for nearly a month, and incurred large legal costs.

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