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C H A P T E R 4
Monitoring Entry
to Provide Protection
4.1 Role of the Immigration Service
The U.K. Immigration Service is the only statutory body with the ability on the
ground to monitor what happens when unaccompanied or separated children
come to the U.K. However, the research reveals that in practice the Immigration
Service is being asked to undertake a number of different and not altogether
compatible roles.
Its primary statutory role is to ensure that unaccompanied
or separated children who arrive in the U.K.
are only permitted to enter if they can meet the requirements
of the Immigration Rules or have made an
application for asylum. It also has a significant role
in combating human trafficking. 1 In addition it has
accepted a de facto duty of care 2 to any unaccompanied
or separated child in its physical custody for
questioning until the child is collected by a carer or
a social services department. This complexity of roles
mirrors the bifurcated reality facing unaccompanied
or separated children, subject to immigration controls
limiting their rights of entry but also in need of protection
by reason of their age and possible claims under
the Refugee Convention.
The standards which the U.K. Immigration Service
3 sets for its immigration officers are high and are
contained in Best Practice guidelines for immigration
officers at ports of entry. 4 They stipulate that when
an immigration officer becomes aware of the presence
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