REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

Brian Kinney, Director UASC Reform and Management Programme

November 2008

THE CONTEXT

• Want to deliver improvements to the immigration and support arrangements for UASC.

• Deliver a better, more integrated system that gets the balance right between the need to protect and safeguard the welfare of UASC while they are in the UK but also maintain the integrity of immigration control.

• To achieve these objectives it is necessary to improve the procedures at each of the key stages of the UASC process – intake, assessment, period of support, and integration/return.

UASC REFORM – AN END TO END PROCESS

Care

Specialist Authorities

Outcomes

Return or Integration

Intake

Initial Assessment (including age where needed)

Identifying and supporting victims of trafficking

Keeping children Safe

WHY ARE WE ASSEMBLED HERE TODAY?

• To deliver the reforms we cannot do it without your support.

• Want to ensure you understand the proposed reforms and that we take on board your concerns.

• We have encountered widespread support for the 5 key reforms as set out in Planning Better Outcomes.

• Want a co-operative, open and honest dialogue.

• UASC intake numbers have remained roughly constant at around 2,500-3,000 per annum over the last 3 years whilst adult asylum applications have decreased.

• Current volume is approximately 5,500 3,800 over 16s, 1,700 under 16s’

• 70% currently located in London and South East.

• The top five countries are: Afghanistan (38%), Iran, China, Somalia and Eritrea

WHAT ARE THE FACTS?UASC NUMBERS

UASC DISTRIBUTION BY REGION

WHAT ARE THE FACTS?

• This not solely about cutting costs – its about putting in place a system that is better and represents VFM.

UASC REFORM PROGRAMME

Five key reforms

– Ensures that the UK Border Agency, in exercising its functions, keeps children safe from harm while they are in the United Kingdom.

– Puts in place better procedures for identifying and supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are the victims of trafficking.

– Locates unaccompanied asylum seeking children with specialist local authorities to ensure they receive the services they need.

– Puts in place better procedures to assess age in order to ensure children and adults are not accommodated together.

– Resolves immigration status more quickly and, in turn, enabling care planning to focus on integration or early return to the country of origin.

OVER 40% OF UASC HAVE THEIR AGE DISPUTED

Claimed UASC applications made

each year

5000

Accepted by UKBA as UASC

2600

Not accepted by UKBA as UASC

2400

Applicant accepts decision treated as

an adult

1200

Social worker age assesses as an

adult

750

Social worker age assessment - treat

as a child

450

Asylum Applications by Claimed Age – 2006 to 2008

AGE ASSESSMENT WORKING GROUP

Outcomes

• better guidance – in particular working with the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health to ensure clear guidelines on the use of paediatrician reports.

• no agreement on the use of use of x rays or other medical interventions.

• no agreement that use of paediatric reports generally of assistance

• at present the social worker assessment will remain the primary means of assessing age.

WHERE/WHEN IS AGE ASSESSMENT BEST DONE?

• Regional assessment centres to look at age/needs at the front end.

• Maybe four or five centres based on UKBA Regions.

• Could be residential – eg Kent (Appledore) or could be as the Croydon model where UASC seen by social services and then supported in emergency accommodation.

• Following assessment UASC will be placed in the care of a specialist authority within the region.

RETURNS

• For the success of the whole project and to stop the build up of former UASC in Local Authorities, we need to ensure that UKBA improves its removal processes.

• Working towards removing former UASC who are appeal rights exhausted – “ARE” when they reach 18.

• We prefer voluntary removals but where this is not possible enforcement may be necessary.

• Working towards an enhanced “assisted voluntary returns” package which will continue support once the UASC has been returned to their country of origin.

• Recognise that some former UASC cannot be returned and that UKBA have to consider how to support them.

THE SPECIALIST AUTHORITY MODEL (1)

Status

• Concept of Specialist Authorities has had widespread support but has not moved forward.

• Current arrangements are poorly structured and unsatisfactory for both local authorities and UKBA.

• Work has taken place to address concerns – this reform initiative now must move forward.

THE SPECIALIST AUTHORITY MODEL (2)

UKBA is prepared:

– To offer a 3 year Agreement (providing planning stability)

– To meet reasonable costs (if clearly identified as relevant to UASC care)

– To develop real partnership working (social services staff and UKBA case owners)

– To improve the data management (for both invoicing and management information purposes).

NEGOTIATING POSITION

These aspects are not in scope:

• LAs have the “duty of care” and must look after all children including UASC.

• UKBA needs to have some control over where UASC are placed, specifically to ensure consistency of care and cost effectiveness.

• Specialist Authorities must be aligned with our asylum teams.

SPECIALIST AUTHORITIES IN THIS REGION

Can you:

- Develop capacity to support 50+ UASC?

and/or

- Work collaboratively with the authorities to offer a regional solution?

DISCUSSION

• What are the barriers to success?

• How can they be overcome?

• Think imaginatively, but realistically.