By Annamaria De Felice
Today, we reflect on the successful launch of our groundbreaking report, “Unlocking Support: Age Disputed Young People in Scotland.”
The event, which took place at Brodies, in Glasgow, brought together a distinguished panel of experts and advocates, sparking a powerful discussion on the urgent need for systemic change.
The event was a success, with over 70 participants from various sectors aligning on a common goal: to break down barriers and improve access to justice for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs) in Scotland.
About the Report
In 2023, over 3,400 UASCs arrived in the UK seeking protection, but many face disputes over their age, often misclassified as adults by flawed Home Office assessments. With a 450% increase in age disputes since 2020, many of these vulnerable young people are placed in adult accommodation, particularly in Scotland, without the care and support they urgently need.
Our report reveals critical findings and highlights the pressing need for a unified, proactive approach to address these challenges.
Key findings: barriers to accessing support
- Delays in safeguarding referrals
The report uncovers significant delays in local authority referrals, with young people often waiting weeks or even months for support. In some cases, authorities unlawfully refuse to engage, relying on flawed Home Office age assessments. The requirement for referrals to come via the police adds another obstacle. These delays leave many young people, including trafficking victims, in unsafe conditions, sharing accommodation with adults and facing increased risks of exploitation.
- Inconsistent age assessments across Scotland
Even when local authorities engage, the fairness and consistency of their age assessments vary widely. Based on Freedom of Information requests from 32 Scottish local authorities, the report reveals a “postcode lottery” of practice. 41% of young people referred to local authorities are classified as adults after just one brief enquiry, with outcomes differing greatly depending on the local authority. Legal challenges have overturned many of these decisions, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the assessments.
Our call for action
The findings highlight the immense pressure local authorities are under, with limited resources affecting their ability to fulfil statutory duties. To improve access to justice and ensure young people receive the support they deserve, urgent action is required from the Home Office, the Scottish Government, and local authorities.
Our key recommendations include:
- Home Office: limit the classification of young people as adults to only exceptional cases.
- Scottish Government: review and update Age Assessment Guidance to ensure fair and consistent practice across all Scottish local authorities.
- Scottish Local Authorities: Improve internal processes, respond promptly to referrals, and maintain accurate records of age-disputed individuals.
Read more on our Executive summary.
About the launch event
The launch event was a crucial first step in driving this change.
The panel – which included Emma McCarthy, Operations Manager at British Red Cross, and Daniel Tørnes, Project Manager at Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS), highlighted not only the value of these findings, but above all, a shared commitment to improving the lives of these vulnerable young people.
The support and participation at the event signal the start of a wider movement to ensure fair treatment and access to justice for all young people seeking safety in Scotland.
The success of this event marks the beginning of what we hope will be a sustained effort to address the issues identified in the report. By working together across sectors, we can ensure that these young people receive the care and protection they so urgently need.
