One in ten children in care has an immigration or nationality issue

At least one in every ten children in care has an unresolved immigration or nationality issue, according to new research published by Coram Children’s Legal Centre and the South London Refugee Association and endorsed by many major children’s organisations.

The report, Taking Care: How local authorities can best address immigration issues of children in care, also finds that delaying help on immigration and nationality issues could be costing local authorities hundreds of thousands of pounds per year. A citizenship application for a child costs £1012; by contrast, waiting until the young person leaves care can cost as much as £130,000 in Home Office fees and support with living.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre and other charities are working with local authorities, asking them to sign a pledge to:

• identify all looked-after children and care leavers with immigration and nationality issues;
• connect looked-after children and care leavers with good quality legal support as soon as possible;
• take a proactive and informed role in supporting looked after children and care leavers through any immigration applications and appeals;
• enable those who are eligible to apply for permanent status and British citizenship

For more information, read the report Taking care here.