Skills for the Job: Supporting migrant children
Kamena Dorling
Monday, October 13, 2014
Unaccompanied migrant children face multiple challenges, which, with the right support, professionals can help them overcome.
How many unaccompanied migrant children are there?
In 2013, 1,174 separated children applied for asylum in the UK - similar to the numbers that applied in 2012 and 2011. A further 324 individuals applied for asylum in 2013 as children, but their ages were disputed. Much less is known about the numbers of separated migrant children who have not applied for asylum, but who are subject to immigration control. One report estimates there are as many as 120,000 undocumented children (including those in families) in the UK. Some may have been trafficked for sexual or labour exploitation. In 2012, 511 migrant children were identified as potential victims of trafficking. Others may have been brought to the UK for adoption or private fostering, and abandoned when the arrangement breaks down.
What issues do they face?
Separated children face many difficulties, which often include:
- Navigating complex asylum and immigration application and appeals procedures
- Problems accessing services, such as GPs, local authority support, school places, and a lack of understanding about how the system works
- Changes in circumstances - for example, a change in a young person's status or age - can result in having to move from one support system to another, causing major disruption and confusion
- Having their age disputed and being treated as an adult, which can result in a young person being held in immigration detention or housed with adults
- Emotional or mental health problems, such as loneliness or depression
- Little or no English
- Separation from family and/or personal bereavement
- Discrimination and racism
- Living with the anxiety of potentially being removed from the country
What kind of rights do they have?
There is a statutory duty upon agencies, including local authorities and the Home Office, to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. By law, separated children in England have the same entitlements as citizen children, including the right to education and the rights enshrined in the Children Act 1989 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. The immigration status of an unaccompanied child does not affect a local authority's duty to care for them while they are under 18. But after 18, in certain circumstances, immigration status may play a part in the withdrawal or withholding of services to those who are leaving the care of the local authority.
How can professionals working with unaccompanied children help them?
Professionals need to be sufficiently knowledgeable about the rights and entitlements of separated children and help ensure they receive the support and protection they need. They should also be mindful of the possibility that a child may have been trafficked and that if there is a risk they will suffer significant harm if found by the trafficker, child protection procedures should be followed. It is important to recognise that the advice and support that any individual can provide will depend on their skills, qualifications and professional role. For example, there are strict guidelines about who can provide legal advice on the asylum and immigration process.
What other support is available?
Coram Children's Legal Centre's migrant children's project runs an advice line (020 7636 8505 or mcp@coramclc.org.uk) and provides information on its website (www.childrenslegalcentre.com) and in its guide Seeking Support (www.seekingsupport.co.uk).
The Refugee Council's Children's Panel Advice Service works directly with separated children seeking asylum, helping them through the system and ensuring that they are protected (www.refugeecouncil.org.uk).
The NSPCC runs the Child Trafficking Advice Centre, which provides specialist advice and information (0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk).
Kamena Dorling is policy and programmes manager at the migrant children’s project, Coram Children’s Legal Centre
FIND OUT MORE
- Treat migrant children as children first and foremost - immigration concerns do not "trump" children's rights
- Do not prejudge - too often unaccompanied children face a "culture of disbelief"
- Communicate with other professionals so that issues are not missed
- Be mindful of cultural differences that may affect how a child engages
- Quality legal advice and representation is vital