New participatory study involving ‘experts by experience’ reveals that young asylum seekers living in London report confusion, delays, and harmful age assessments that hinder their integration, well-being and protection.

The study was commissioned by London Councils and the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services and was co-produced with peer researchers, a young person’s advisory group supported by the South London Refugee Association, and academic researchers from CASE and the University of Bedfordshire.

The research team worked together with the young people’s advisory group to design and develop the research tools. The peer researchers were trained and supported by university researchers to carry out in-depth ‘research conversations’ with 15 unaccompanied children and young people across several London boroughs. 

Almost all young people reported struggling to understand the asylum process. They faced significant barriers in accessing clear information about their rights and entitlements, often unaware of existing advice services, though these were limited. As unaccompanied children in England and Wales are not entitled to independent legal guardians to help them through the asylum and care processes, and are often voluntarily accommodated by local authorities, there was often no one to help children make decisions about their legal case or their future. 

Children and young people described the existing asylum process as long and uncertain, with delays placing their lives, hopes, and futures on hold. Enabling speedier decisions would help clear the current backlog, reduce costs for boroughs, and ensure that unaccompanied children are not left in prolonged uncertainty, damaging their sense of belonging. 

Intrusive and retraumatising age assessments often triggered feelings of loss and separation from families. In some cases, these assessments also delayed asylum decisions, while children who were wrongly assessed as adults faced potential harm after being placed in adult hotels and denied access to children's services. 

The young people and researchers then worked together to analyse and interpret the findings, and develop a series of policy and practice recommendations, including the need for a ‘child-first’ approach to policy-making and the need for a system of independent legal guardianship for all unaccompanied children similar to other nations.

The report’s findings and recommendations are being debated through the passage of the Children’s Well-being and Schools bill, currently making its way through the House of Lords. There will be further activities with policy-makers and parliamentarians in the coming weeks.

Executive Summary and Full report: London Councils urges root and branch reform of asylum and care system for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children | London Councils – Home