Barnardo’s believes that all children arriving in the UK deserve a warm welcome, including having both their physical and emotional needs met. Children need to be believed, respected, and treated with dignity. This helps them rebuild their lives and establish new homes, friendships, and communities.
We urge the government to reconsider its approach and framing when it comes to children and families arriving and building a life in the UK. We should recognise that immigration for the purposes of family unity is itself fundamental to creating safer, happier, and healthier childhoods in the UK.
The forthcoming Immigration and Asylum Bill aims to put into statute some of the proposed asylum and immigration reforms announced by the Home Secretary last year. This briefing highlights the proposals which will have the most significant impact on children, young people, and families seeking sanctuary in the UK and with experience of the immigration system.
- Article 8 Reforms: Codifying strict definitions of ‘family’ (parents/children only) (likely amending Part 5A of the 2002 Act) to override judicial discretion currently protected by the Human Rights Act 1998.
- Granting the Home Office greater powers to determine the age of age-disputed children seeking sanctuary in the UK.
- Child Exploitation and Trafficking (Modern Slavery) reforms: restricting access to the National Referral Mechanism – the system designed to identify victims of modern slavery, including child exploitation and trafficking, for people, including children, deemed to fall within ‘public order’ categories. It will also seek to narrow the UK’s interpretation of its obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT).
Why I believe embracing difference is a good thing for society
During Refugee Week, Riley*, a disability activist and Barnardo’s SEEN Ambassador, explains why he believes we should be more welcoming of different perspectives in the UK.
How we helped Ranya* find her voice
During Refugee Week, Ranya*, a young refugee from Lebanon and Barnardo’s SEEN Ambassador, talks about how she built up her confidence with our support.
Children seeking sanctuary
Families seeking asylum have fled wars or famines in search of a better life - and they have often faced poor health, poverty and hunger on their way to the UK. Despite their parents' best efforts, the children often suffer most and can be incredibly vulnerable.