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The official justification for these plans are that
which does provide quality support to unaccompa-
they benefit unaccompanied or separated children
nied or separated children.
by enabling certain local authorities to develop the
necessary expertise to provide good quality and
The study found that unaccompanied or separated
consistent care. However, child care practitioners
children were 18% less likely to suffer symptoms
are concerned that the proposals will undermine
of post traumatic stress disorder associated with
the fundamental principle underpinning the Chil-
past persecution and trauma if they were placed
dren Act 1989, that every local authority owes a duty
in foster care as opposed to independent or semi-
to safeguard the welfare of all children in need within
independent accommodation.
their geographic area irrespective of their immigration
status. Furthermore, the reforms will make it
This is not surprising as when an unaccompanied
far easier to remove unaccompanied or separated
or separated child is placed in bed and breakfast
children by locating them at a small number of
or hostel accommodation, the local authorities in
specific locations and isolating them from a wider
question maintain minimal contact with the child.
supportive community.
The unaccompanied or separated child might be
This concern is particularly marked in local
required to attend social services once a fortnight
authorities with a record of high quality care to
to collect vouchers or cash to buy food. They also
unaccompanied or separated children. It is less
have to find out for themselves where their local
evident among local authorities who are equivocal
school or college is and how to enrol in appropriate
about the duties to unaccompanied or separated
courses. They have to find out how to obtain medical
children, where social workers find it difficult to
assistance. In one case an unaccompanied or sepa-
accept that this group have comparable child pro-
rated child with severe psychological problems was
tection needs to other children on their case load. 17
placed in a hostel with adults who were abusing drugs
Some local authorities are very reluctant to top
SEEKING ASYLUM ALONE | UNITED KINGDOM
80
up the grants provided by central government
towards the accommodation and support of
unaccompanied or separated children from their
own resources. They are therefore reluctant to
accommodate them under section 20 and provide
them with foster placements or supported
hostel placements. Instead they choose to assist
them under section 17 of the Children Act 1989
and place them in what amounts to bed and
breakfast accommodation.
The detrimental effect that this may have on unaccompanied
or separated children is identified in a
pilot study of 50 separated children being looked
after by Westminster’s Social Services Department, 18
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