Age disputes for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASCs) - Find a freedom of information request

Request relates to age disputes for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASCs) under the care of your local authority. 

 

1. For five years from 2018-2023, from 1 January 2018 or the nearest applicable date, till 1 April 2023, how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children have been in the care of your local authority

2. Of the UASCs under your care since 2018, how many have been subject to age disputes? By age disputes, I mean that the age of the claimant and therefore their status as a child is in doubt, and reference must be made to the detailed Assessing age guidance, as per page 32 of this Government guidance

3. Between 1 January 2018 and 1 April 2023, what were the outcomes of the age dispute cases? By outcomes please can you provide the number of UASCs who were found to be under 18, and

the number found to be over 18. For those over 18, please can you share what happened to them. For example, did the local authority track them and whether they ended up homeless, returned to their country of origin, or other outcomes?

4. Between 1 January 2018 and 1 April 2023, how many of the age dispute cases were subject to appeal and what was the outcome of each appeal?

5. Does the local authority keep track of UASCs who following an age dispute case were found to be over-18? Please provide a yes/no response. By keep track I mean does the LA continue to engage with the young person. 

1. 202.

2. 32.

3. 31 under 18 on the NTS – 1 on the NTS considered to be an adult and returned to the care of the Home office.

4. 0.

5. No. If a young person is assessed as over 18, they are not eligible for any kind of service so there is no requirement to stay in touch.