The British Medical Association, British Association of Social Workers, Medical Justice, Refugee Council, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are deeply concerned by the proposed changes and their impact on children’s health, well-being and safety.
Key concerns include – The provisions within the Bill will change the asylum system and child protection framework in an unprecedented way. Claims made by unaccompanied children will not be accepted into the UK system, children will be detained, and some could be removed from the UK before they turn 18 years old. Additionally, the Bill will afford the Home Secretary significant new powers in relation to housing and care of these children in a way, we believe, that will significantly undermine the Children Act 1989 and associated statutory guidance.
