This document discusses the Scottish Guardianship Service and separated children seeking asylum. It provides background on why children flee their countries, their needs, who cares for them, and definitions of guardians. The Guardianship Service supported over 100 young people last year, primarily boys ages 16-17 from Afghanistan, Vietnam, Somalia, Iran and Nigeria. Their holistic, child-centered approach includes acting as a responsible adult, building resilience, providing additional support, and advocating independently for the children.

1. Scottish Guardianship Service
Catriona MacSween
Service Manager and
Scottish Refugee Council
Clare Tudor
Children's Policy Officer

2. Why do children flee their country?
 War/conflict  Inter-ethnic/ Inter-
 Persecution for imputed religious conflict
political opinion  Female Genital Cutting
 Trafficked to the UK  Sexuality
 Fear of sexual violence/  Land disputes/blood
sexual slavery feuds
 Conscription of child  Forced (underage)
soldiers marriage
 Human Rights abuse  Fear of honour killing

3. What are separated children's needs/issues?
 Meeting basic needs – food, shelter, safety, time to adjust and recover
 Physical and mental health issues, including pre-flight and on-route
experiences and the after-effects of trauma
 Cultural needs – Halal food, religion, cultural differences
 Communication needs
 Understanding and navigating complex immigration and welfare
system
 Limited formal education leading to low levels of literacy or numeracy
 Fear and mistrust of adults in positions of authority
 Uncertainty about their future, lack of stability
 Age Assessments and age disputes

4. Who cares for these young people?
 Social Work - Statutory responsibility falls to the Local Authority
they arrive into up until the age of at least 18
 Supported under The Children (Scotland Act ) 1995, sec 22, 25 and
possibly 29 (Leaving Care) SW is “care manager” throughout stay
 UKBA placed itself under Sec 55 Duty (BCI Act 2009) - requires the
UK Border Agency to make arrangements to safeguard and
promote the welfare of children in discharging its immigration,
nationality and general customs functions

5. Definition
A Guardian is someone who A Guardian is on the child’s
accompanies children and side, can explain what is
young people when they happening to them, will listen
claim asylum or are trafficked to their views and experiences
and are cared for by health, and speak up for them when
education and welfare needed.
services.
A Guardian will also help a
A Guardian will help a child or child or young person to plan
young person to be actively their future, whether in the
involved in decisions that UK or elsewhere.
affect their life and to get the
help they need, when they
need it.

6. Facts and Figures
 Supported 103 young people
 Average age on arrival 16-17
 75% boys versus 25% girls
 22% from Afghanistan followed by 18% Vietnam,
13% Somalia, 12% Iran and 11% Nigeria
 33% present with indicators of trafficking
 Working with young people from 17 countries and 26
different languages

7. What is our approach?
 Holistic, child centred and rights  Responsible adult role
based
 Bridging, linking and co-ordinate
 Secure base & building resilience
 Contribute to the identification of
 Asylum teachers & sense makers durable solutions
 Additional time spent with young  Supporting Agencies
people
 System Improvement
 Flexible and bespoke approach
 Participation groups
 Independent Advocates
 Tea and toast!