Legal advice charity and union issue guide for social workers in Wales on working with children in asylum system

The guide acknowledges that the laws around children and immigration are “complex and constantly changing” - further complicated by devolution in the different nations of the UK.

The guide therefore provides an overview of the main issues social workers will come across, including:

• how the care and immigration systems interact;
• the asylum process;
• immigration and nationality;
• the age assessment process;
• trafficking and modern slavery.

The organisations note that once in the UK, one of the most important actions is regularising status for migrant families and children – and that “the effects of not dealing with a child’s immigration status urgently can have a devastating impact on their development and future.”

The guide concludes: “The importance of identifying immigration issues and the need for legal advice is so important when working with migrant children. Ensure that they get good quality advice and representation.

“Knowing your limits and identifying where further services or advice is needed is a crucial part of working with migrant children, young people and families. It is also essential that you support these young people effectively and understand the difficulties they face.

“Ensure that you keep up to date on issues affecting migrant children and young people and seek out further training where necessary.”

Coram CLC and Unison have previously written a separate guide for social workers and other professionals working in England.

Lottie Winson