Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are in place to ensure that the receipt of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (a) incorporates young person-centred practice and (b) is efficient.

The Home Office takes its responsibility for the welfare of children very seriously and immigration officials receive specific training on responding to children’s needs. As soon as possible after claiming asylum, identity details of unaccompanied children are registered and a welfare interview conducted to identify any safeguarding concerns. All unaccompanied asylum seeking children are referred to the local authority children’s services so that accommodation and welfare needs can be assessed and appropriate provision made. A referral is also made to the Refugee Council Children’s Panel which is an independent voluntary organisation funded by the Home Office to provide advice and guidance to unaccompanied children on the asylum process.