Children & Families in the Asylum Process

Barnardo's have released a report looking at the experiences of asylum and refugee children. They argue that such children should be included in key government initiatives, such as the pledge to eradicate child poverty and ironically Every Child Matters, which currently excludes these 111,000 children.

Key Recommendations:
- They welcome the New Asylum Model but advise that case workers receive training so they can address the needs of children.
- In clearing the backlog decision makers should consider that children may have spent many years living in the UK or been born here.
- To allow asylum seekers the right to work after a certain time period, if certain conditions are met.
- To give asylum seekers the same benefits as other claimants, especially those related to children.
- To end the donations of vouchers, rather than cash benefits.
- Not to house asylum families in areas of likely community segregation or tensions.
- To allow families some preference over where they live and to allow them to remain there during the whole application process.
- To offer housing which would be suitable for UK families.
- Not to be moved where it disrupts schooling.