Beyond arrival: safeguarding unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK

Abstract

Unaccompanied children (also called unaccompanied minors) are children who have been separated from both parents and other relatives and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible for doing so. From 2010 to 2020, unaccompanied minors accounted on average for 15.4% of the total number of first-time asylum applicants aged less than 18 years in the UK. These young people risk their lives and undergo traumatic journeys in search of a better life. However, when they arrive in the UK, they are vulnerable to significant ongoing traumatic experiences.In this review, we look at the reasons young people are forced to flee their countries, how they make their journey, and the risks and dangers they face along the way. We examine safety and victimisation risks faced by children and young people after arrival in the UK, which mechanisms and processes exist to safeguard these individuals, and examine the data available on outcomes of unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC. Finally, we share two case examples that represent both the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes for UASC.

A Whole-child, whole-family approach to health assessments for asylum-seeking children

“…4 Migrant children have a higher prevalence of both physical and mental health problems compared with their peers. [4][5][6][7] HCPs looking after these children should ideally have experience in addressing physical and mental determinants of health, 8 and be aware that somatisation is a relatively common problem. 9 The well-being of a child is not only determined by their own health needs and experiences, but also influenced by that of parents and siblings.…”

“…The health of asylum-seeking CYP is influenced by multiple, interconnecting factors (table 2). 4 Migrant children have a higher prevalence of both physical and mental health problems compared with their peers 4–7. HCPs looking after these children should ideally have experience in addressing physical and mental determinants of health,8 and be aware that somatisation is a relatively common problem 9…”

Infections in Asymptomatic Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children in London 2016–2022

“…2 These young people have complex health and social needs. 3–6 Services should provide a holistic, trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to care of these vulnerable children; 6,7 however, in reality, are variable and often inadequate. 8…”