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Government 'failing migrant children', charity claims
Thousands of migrant children entering the UK on their own are being failed by government because they are not getting long-term support, it has been claimed.
A report by The Children's Society found that the best interests of separated children are not effectively assessed by authorities despite requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Meanwhile, many legal cases were not given proper consideration, with practitioners stating that grounds for appeal in immigration cases, where present, are often not pursued.
And many young people were left "destitute and in limbo" on leaving the care system when they turned 18, causing many to face homelessness and anxiety.
“Currently, there is no formal process in place to assess these children’s best interests for the long-term," the report states. As a result, children face an ad-hoc system to determine what will happen to them as they approach adulthood, based on their immigration status rather than their needs.
“This violates the government’s commitment under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to prioritise children’s welfare.”
“The young people we interviewed expressed feelings of being stuck and in limbo, feelings of frustration, anger and anxiety. They repeatedly talked about being unable to work leaving them feeling powerless."
The Children’s Society is calling on the government to develop a strategy to find a solution for separated children in England that reflects the child’s rights.
Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children’s Society said separated migrant children are “among the most vulnerable in the country, yet they are left with no sense of what will happen to them as they reach the brink of adulthood.
“It is crucial that the government helps children who are in the UK on their own over the long-term. The authorities need to make sure children have the stability necessary so they can develop, thrive, and have the best possible chance in life.”
Jess Brown
28 August 2015
