The welfare of children within Britain's immigration system is a number one priority, according to new UK Border Agency guidelines which come into force today.
Staff must adhere to the new code of practice which lays down how youngsters should be treated during any stay in detention or while being transferred into local authority care. The Code is the first stage in bringing the UKBA into line with other Government organisations entrusted with the care of children.
The UKBA intends to take its commitment to safeguard children from harm even further, by introducing a Duty regarding the welfare of children into the new Border, Citizenship and Immigration Bill. This Duty will supersede the Code of Practice, ensuring all UKBA activities throughout the UK consider the welfare of children. Modelled on Section 11 of the Children's Act 2004, it will bring the UKBA in line with every authority that deals with children.
The Code of Practice, among other things, includes the need to demonstrate:
* fair treatment which meets the same standard a British child would receive;
* the child's interests being made a primary, although not the only, consideration;
* no discrimination of any kind;
* having their asylum applications dealt with in a timely fashion; and
* identifying those that might be at risk from harm;
Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:
"Treating children with care and compassion is a number one priority for the UK Border Agency. These new guidelines will reiterate that.
"It is right that the UK Border Agency is judged by the same standards as every other authority that deals with children. These rules bring together for the first time a common set of values all staff must abide by.
"No one wants to detain children and it only happens as a last resort, often because their parents seek to frustrate removal. In these difficult circumstances, we will treat children with the utmost sensitivity."
The Agency has already taken great strides to ensure the treatment of children is as sensitive as possible. Families are always offered the chance to depart voluntarily with the offer of integration assistance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Yarl's Wood Removal Centre has been praised for the facilities and support it provides for children - including two full-time social workers to monitor and formally assess the welfare of those being detained, as well as the active involvement of healthcare and child care professionals.
The centre has high quality education facilities, cultural celebrations, a supervised youth club and sports activities. There is also a library, a creche for younger children and other leisure facilities.
The vast majority of children are detained for less than a week, and during that stay the Agency is committed to treating them fairly and with compassion.
The UKBA is actively testing alternatives to detention, to explore whether housing families in hostel type accommodation and providing one-to-one support will encourage them to leave voluntarily. The next pilot is planned in Glasgow, where the UKBA is working with Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Refugee Council and the Scottish Government.