"Many of these children are survivors of torture and trafficking and are experiencing acute declines in their mental health as a result of what is often months of detention in the UK."
"No child should be detained, with those who remain in detention immediately released to allow them to recover and to ensure they are able to access age assessments conducted in the community where required."
"Freedom of information requests to local authority children's services have found that many children initially assessed to be adults by Home Office on arrival in the UK were later determined to be children after age assessment by social workers."
Research indicates that over 70 children from conflict zones have been detained in UK centres under a government scheme for forced removal to France. This 'one in, one out' initiative allows for the return of small boat arrivals in exchange for legal entry of others. Detaining unaccompanied child asylum seekers in adult facilities is unlawful. Many detained children are survivors of trauma, suffering mental health declines. Age assessments often misclassify children as adults, leading to wrongful detentions. Some have been released and are receiving appropriate care and assessments.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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