Recommendation 33

We are deeply concerned that the threat of removal from the UK when a child turns 18 will be harmful to the child’s wellbeing and ability to live a healthy, happy childhood. It also gives them a powerful incentive to flee authorities’ care, thereby making them extremely vulnerable to traffickers, exploiters, and criminal gangs. This is clearly not in the best interests of the child for the purposes of the UK’s obligations under the UNCRC. We recommend that the duty to remove is not automatically applied when a child turns 18 (see Annex, Amendment 26). (Paragraph 266) Modern slavery