The ‘good character’ guidance for Home Office staff considering nationality applications should require them to consider childhood history, environmental factors, social care intervention and cultural practices. This would help ensure the guidelines treat everyone fairly, no matter their background.
Currently, the guidance largely focuses on negative acts which can be viewed in isolation. The ‘good character’ guidance should encourage a more holistic consideration of the individual when assessing applications. This would help ensure applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, which incorporates factors other than their race and cultural heritage. This should include the individual's childhood and social care history.