Protecting Vulnerable Children: Addressing Age Disputes for Young People Seeking Asylum
At Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC), we are proud to have contributed to "Unlocking Support: Age Disputed Young People in Scotland," a powerful report produced by JustRight Scotland. This crucial document brings to light the complex and often overlooked challenges faced by young people seeking asylum whose ages are disputed upon arrival in the UK.
When these children arrive at the UK border, many do so without any form of identification. This is often due to the difficult circumstances they have fled. Some young people had to escape in a hurry, leaving official documents behind, while others come from regions where the collapse of government institutions has made it impossible to obtain identification. In many cases, children arrive from countries where birth registration is not routinely practiced, meaning they may have never had official documents in the first place. Tragically, some have had their documentation destroyed or confiscated during their dangerous journey to safety, often at the hands of traffickers or militias. As a result, proving their age or identity becomes incredibly difficult, leading to inaccurate assessments by UK authorities.
The report highlights the crucial role that local authorities play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of these young people, while also calling attention to gaps in the system that frequently leave them vulnerable.
One of the key issues raised is the allocation of inaccurate dates of birth by the Home Office, which has significant consequences for the safeguarding of unaccompanied children. Jayne Smith, founder of AARC, commented:
“Far too often, we are seeing children allocated dates of birth that are clearly inaccurate, which places them at serious risk. When age disputes are delayed, the necessary legal safeguarding provisions - such as access to child protection services, appropriate accommodation, and education - are not put in place in a timely manner. These delays leave vulnerable children unprotected, often forcing them into unsafe environments where they are at risk of exploitation or harm.”
The failure to accurately assess a child's age in a timely manner means that these young people are often placed in adult accommodation or detention facilities, where they face heightened risks. Without proper child protection, these children are denied access to vital services such as education and healthcare, further compounding the trauma they have experienced.
Key Findings from the Report
The "Unlocking Support" report highlights several key findings and challenges:
Inaccurate Age Assessments: Many young people are assigned incorrect dates of birth upon arrival, often classifying them as adults and preventing access to child protection services.
Delays in Age Dispute Resolutions: Lengthy delays in resolving age disputes mean that young people seeking asylum can go months, even years, without proper safeguarding measures, leaving them without education, healthcare, and appropriate housing.
Inconsistent Safeguarding Measures: The report found an inconsistent application of safeguarding protocols across local authorities. Some are more proactive in supporting young people, while others delay necessary interventions, putting children at risk.
Barriers to Support: Alarmingly, the report details instances where local authorities unlawfully refused referrals for children whose ages were disputed, denying them immediate safeguarding and increasing their vulnerability.
Lack of Trauma-Informed Care: Many young people seeking asylum have fled war, persecution, and extreme violence. The report emphasises the urgent need for trauma-informed care to help these individuals process their experiences and begin healing.
The Urgent Need for Change
The findings of this report serve as a call to action for local authorities, government bodies, and organisations working with people seeking asylum. Jayne Smith notes:
“These children have already experienced unimaginable trauma, and the failure to resolve their age disputes quickly only compounds their suffering. We need a concerted effort to ensure that all children, regardless of their immigration status, are given the protection they deserve. This can only happen if the Home Office, local authorities and the agencies and charities supporting people seeking asylum pool their collective resources and skills and work together.”
AARC’s Role in Supporting Young People Seeking Asylum
At AARC, we are committed to ensuring that every young person seeking asylum in North East Scotland receives the care and support they need. We work closely with local authorities, other third-sector organisations, and legal professionals to advocate for fair and timely age assessments and to provide direct support to these vulnerable young people.
Recognising the urgency, we provide tailored assistance, including help with attending crucial appointments to resolve age disputes as quickly as possible. We offer comprehensive support - such as providing clothing, food, and guidance through the process of accessing essential services - and emotional support to help them through this difficult time. Our support continues until such time as the relevant local authority agrees to provide support to the young person.
Conclusion
The "Unlocking Support" report is a critical step toward improving the treatment and protection of young people seeking asylum in Scotland. It calls for quicker, fairer age assessments and the consistent application of safeguarding measures to protect these vulnerable children.
At AARC, we will continue pushing for systemic changes to ensure that every child who arrives seeking safety is met with compassion, care, and the protection they deserve.
You can read the full "Unlocking Support" report here.
For more information on how you can support AARC’s work, visit our Get Involved page.
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