At least one in 10 children in care and more than 10,000 young care leavers in England have unresolved immigration or citizenship issues, according to new research published today by South London Refugee Association and Coram Children’s Legal Centre. Without better immigration support from local authorities, these children face uncertain and unsafe futures.
The scale of the problem is almost certainly worse than it seems, because 41 of 117 local authorities who answered Freedom of Information requests had missing or incomplete data on the immigration status of children in their care. As long as these children go unidentified, they will not receive the support they are entitled to.
Maya Pritchard, South London Refugee Association, said:
“Local authorities have a statutory obligation to provide children in care with immigration support. Without it, these young people, who are vulnerable and who have already been through so much, cannot plan for their futures and are at risk of destitution and exploitation when they turn 18.”
The report, “Taking Care: How local authorities can best address immigration issues of children in care”, also finds that delaying providing help on immigration and nationality issues could be costing local authorities hundreds of thousands of pounds per year. A citizenship application for a child costs £1,012. By comparison, waiting to resolve immigration issues until the young person leaves care can cost as much as £130,000 per young person in Home Office fees and support with living when that young person is barred from claiming benefits.
Marianne Lagrue, Coram Children’s Legal Centre, commented:
“Funding for local government has been cut to the bone, and some of the most vulnerable children are bearing the consequences.
The good news is that taking steps to resolve looked-after children’s immigration issues early is a win-win: it is much less costly for local authorities and serves the best interests of children in care, preventing years of uncertainty for children who desperately need a sense of belonging, stability and permanence.”
Lack of immigration status or citizenship prevents children from being able to lead full lives. For older children in care and care leavers, resolving these issues early means they avoid unnecessary complications with everyday activities like applying for jobs or university, seeking scholarships, grants, or student loans, setting up a bank account, getting a driving licence or renting accommodation.
Noel, a young care leaver originally from Albania who claimed asylum in the UK when he was 15, said:
“My foster carer cared, understood enough, and kept her eyes open. This meant that I got the help I needed at the right time. The truth is that this totally shifted the course of my life.”
When the Home Office refused his asylum claim, Noel’s foster carer successfully supported him through the process of appealing the decision.
The charities are calling on local authorities to sign a pledge, which commits them to:
- Identify all looked-after children and care leavers with immigration and nationality issues
- Connect looked-after children and care leavers with good quality legal support as soon as possible
- Take a proactive and informed role in supporting looked after children and care leavers through any immigration applications and appeals
- Enable those who are eligible to apply for permanent status and British citizenship
Dr Carol Homden CBE, chief executive of Coram, said:
“Children who are taken into care in England need their corporate parents to look out for them in every way, including sorting out their immigration status, citizenship and passport. In immigration and nationality law as with so many other areas, early intervention and a proactive approach can change the course of children’s lives, providing permanence and the chance to thrive.”
Keeley Creedy, Head of Community Care Law at Coram Children’s Legal Centre, commented:
“Helping to resolve looked after children’s immigration and nationality issues is a critical part of a local authority’s corporate parenting duties. The good news is that taking steps to resolve looked-after children’s immigration issues early is a win-win: it is much less costly for local authorities and is in the best interests of the child.”