UK Border Agency Children’s Champion Lisa Killham Refugee Council Conference 10 October 2012

2 The Children’s Champion “There shall be a senior member of staff (the “Children’s Champion”) who is responsible to the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency for:  promoting the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children throughout the UK Border Agency;  offering advice and support to UK Border Agency staff in issues relating to children; and  identifying and escalating issues of concern.” Para 2.9, Statutory guidance to the UK Border Agency on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

3 The Office of the Children’s Champion: what do we do?  Champion the interests of children within UKBA and Border Force  Seek to promote a change in agency culture in respect of children  Provide the agency with professional child welfare advice (from seconded social workers) on a case-by-case and a strategic basis  Manage UKBA training on Keeping Children Safe  Advise on the interests of children in policy development (but we don’t own policy)  “Sponsor” the Independent Family Returns Panel  Advise on relationships with local authorities

4 The Office of the Children’s Champion: how do we do it?  We act as a critical friend to the Agency – offering support, advice and challenge, and escalating where necessary  We are not independent and we do not make decide cases  Our aim is to work with business areas and to support them in carrying out their functions taking account of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children  This involves close working with, and through, operational line management, and safeguarding leads across UKBA and Border Force.  We operate an inbox for casework queries (c 80 cases a month)

5 The UK Border Agency & children: increasing priority  November 2009: coming into force of section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (the children’s duty)  May 2010: Coalition commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes and subsequent review  December 2010: closure of Yarl’s Wood to children  March 2011: national roll-out of the new family returns process

6 Family returns process: key elements (rolled out 1 March 2011)  Creation of specialist family case-owners in every region (or access to specialism) Decision Every family has a family conference to explain return options, including AVR (Refugee Action), and manage barriers Families are offered the chance to manage their own return with a self check-in removal New Independent Family Returns Panel advises on individual plans for ensured returns New options for ensured return include Cedars pre-departure accommodation (Barnardo’s) Assisted Return Required Return Ensured Return

7 The UK Border Agency & children: wider gains  Children’s issues have much higher profile within the agency (including through senior safeguarding leads and Deputy Chief Executive)  Better relationships with local authorities and other statutory partners (LSCBs)  Better engagement with families (family conferences)  More scrutiny, challenge and partnership working (Independent Family Returns Panel and Barnardo’s)

8 The UK Border Agency & children: going forward  Responding to recommendations in the annual report of the Independent Family Returns Panel (published 19 September)  Independent evaluation of the family returns process (currently underway)  UNHCR audit of decision-making in family cases (currently underway)  Thematic inspection by Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration of the treatment of unaccompanied children arriving in the UK.

9 The UK Border Agency & children: going forward  Unaccompanied children can be especially vulnerable – hence tailored process with additional safeguards.  Important that those in the asylum process understand what is happening to them and are able to present their case.  Looking at how people gain access to the asylum process and the information provided to them to ensure they understand what is expected of them.  Within that, looking at the specific needs of children in the asylum process – setting up meeting with NGOs to listen to your views.

10 The UK Border Agency & children: going forward  What do you think?  Want to hear your views