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Release (002/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 6
January 2009
The welfare of
children within Britain's immigration system is a number one
priority, according to new UK Border Agency guidelines which come
into force today.
Staff must adhere to the new code of practice which lays down how
youngsters should be treated during any stay in detention or while
being transferred into local authority care. The Code is the first
stage in bringing the UKBA into line with other Government
organisations entrusted with the care of children.
The UKBA intends to take its commitment to safeguard children
from harm even further, by introducing a Duty regarding the
welfare of children into the new Border, Citizenship and
Immigration Bill. This Duty will supersede the Code of Practice,
ensuring all UKBA activities throughout the UK consider the
welfare of children. Modelled on Section 11 of the Children's
Act 2004, it will bring the UKBA in line with every authority that
deals with children.
The Code of Practice, among other things, includes the need to demonstrate:
* fair treatment which meets the same standard a British child
would receive;
* the child's interests being made a primary, although not
the only, consideration;
* no discrimination of any kind;
* having their asylum applications dealt with in a timely
fashion; and
* identifying those that might be at risk from harm;
Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:
"Treating children with care and compassion is a number one
priority for the UK Border Agency. These new guidelines will
reiterate that.
"It is right that the UK Border Agency is judged by the same
standards as every other authority that deals with children. These
rules bring together for the first time a common set of values all
staff must abide by.
"No one wants to detain children and it only happens as a
last resort, often because their parents seek to frustrate
removal. In these difficult circumstances, we will treat children
with the utmost sensitivity."
The Agency has already taken great strides to ensure the
treatment of children is as sensitive as possible. Families are
always offered the chance to depart voluntarily with the offer of
integration assistance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Yarl's Wood Removal Centre has been praised for the
facilities and support it provides for children - including two
full-time social workers to monitor and formally assess the
welfare of those being detained, as well as the active involvement
of healthcare and child care professionals.
The centre has high quality education facilities, cultural
celebrations, a supervised youth club and sports activities. There
is also a library, a creche for younger children and other leisure facilities.
The vast majority of children are detained for less than a week,
and during that stay the Agency is committed to treating them
fairly and with compassion.
The UKBA is actively testing alternatives to detention, to
explore whether housing families in hostel type accommodation and
providing one-to-one support will encourage them to leave
voluntarily. The next pilot is planned in Glasgow, where the UKBA
is working with Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Refugee Council
and the Scottish Government.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The UKBA Code of Practice was laid before Parliament on 16
December 2008 and will come into effect on 6 January 2009.
2. The code was produced by the UKBA, following consultation with
children's charities. The code fulfils a duty under Section
21 of the UK Borders Act 2007. It paves the way for a duty in the
new Immigration Bill, equivalent to that in Section 11 of the
Children's Act 2004.
3. Recent independent praise of Yarl's Wood includes:
Ofsted Report of Inspection of Early Years Provision - April 2008
"On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection,
the quality and standards of the care are good."
"Children's welfare is well promoted because staff have
good knowledge of current procedures".
"Staff are extremely skilled in using positive strategies to
promote good behaviour, sensitively working with each child as an
individual". HMCIP Report - February 2008
"The physical environment in children's unit was good
and the centre had made significant improvements in how child care
was handled."
"Child protection arrangements had improved and there was
closer contact between the centre and the local authority."
"The nursery was a bright and generally well resourced
indoor environment, which made a good attempt at replicating
facilities in the wider community."
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