Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children

An unaccompanied asylum seeking child (UASC) is a young person, under the age of 18, who is separated from both parents, is not being cared for by an adult and is applying for asylum in their own right, under the relevant legislation. Sometimes we have to carry out an Age Assessment to make sure an applicant is under the age of 18.

Our Contact, Advice and Assessment Service will carry out a Single Assessment, which helps us know how to best meet the needs of a UASC. An interpreter is available to help with all assessments.

If it's decided that the UASC needs to be cared for, all the plans relating to this will be completed, including Care, Healthcare, Personal Education Plans and Placement Plans.

We'll accommodate all UASCs, under the age of 15, most likely in foster placements, and all UASCs aged 16 and 17 are likely to be offered accommodation in foster care or supported lodgings.

We'll help a UASC to register with a GP, dentist, and to enrol in a local school or college.

We continue to support a UASC when they are granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or unaccompanied asylum.