Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Rejected
Paragraph: 126
Need for independent review of young asylum seekers' support and welfare needs.
Conclusion
We have recommended that the Government commission an independent review of children’s experiences of the asylum system. This review should include examination of the support needs for young asylum seekers, including failed asylum seekers, and refugees up to the age of 25 and should assess the cost of providing those services. We encourage the Government also to consider how independent Youth Welfare Officers might be employed to provide immediate social, emotional and practical support to young asylum-seekers and refugees adapting to life in the UK.
Government Response Summary
The government has no current plans to mandate the use of independent Youth Welfare Officers in England by local authorities, stating that social workers are best placed to provide support, and broadly refers to existing commitments regarding asylum seeker welfare.
Paragraph Reference:
126
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government is absolutely committed to securing the welfare of all asylum seekers and refugees. This includes unaccompanied children and young adults. The Home Office continues to support conversations on improving the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers including through its National Asylum Seeker Health Steering Group, bringing together representatives the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS, Devolved Administrations and Non-Governmental Organisations. Social workers for asylum seekers and refugees in the care system including UASC and adult care leavers are best placed to consider how best to support them in line with legislation and best practice. We have no current plans to mandate the use of youth welfare officers in England by local authorities. In terms of accompanied asylum-seeking children, all Home Office staff and contractors engaging with asylum seekers are trained to adopt a risk-based approach towards potential indications of vulnerability and to refer relevant cases onto the Safeguarding Hub, a dedicated resource assigned to identifying and safeguarding vulnerable asylum seekers. The Safeguarding Hub works closely with the statutory agencies to signpost vulnerable individuals for support with their health and social care needs. Additionally, asylum seekers have full access to the advisory services provided by Migrant Help and UASC can access the Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Support Service (IUSS) operated by Refugee Council.