Safeguarding children

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Home Office staff know whether women have children and are assured that care arrangements for them are appropriate.
• A comprehensive child protection policy and guidance are in place, and have been agreed by the local safeguarding children board or equivalent.
• All staff are aware of their personal and professional duty of care to any children in the centre, and receive appropriate training.
• Staff promptly raise any concerns about the safety and welfare of children in accordance with agreed referral procedures.
• All staff who have contact with children are properly vetted and trained.
• Staff are aware of their duty to raise legitimate concerns about the conduct of colleagues in relation to the treatment and management of children. Staff are encouraged by managers to raise any such concerns, and feel confident and safe to do so.
• Children visiting the centre are safe and can enjoy visits in an environment that is sensitive to their needs.
• Visits staff are aware of women who may pose a risk to children and take appropriate and proportionate steps to ensure children’s safety.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• The burden of proof in age dispute cases is on the Home Office. Detainees have a prompt Merton-compliant assessment unless their demeanour and appearance is clearly that of an adult significantly over the age of 18.¹³ All detainees who say they are children are treated as such until it is determined otherwise.
• If, despite a chief immigration officer’s (CIO’s) assessment to the contrary, centre staff believe that a detainee may be a child, they understand they have a duty to act on their assessment, and immediately inform centre managers, social services and the Home Office.
• Where social services assess a detainee to be a child there is a multi-agency review of any prior CIO assessment; lessons are learned and reflected in future practice.
• Age assessments are promptly reviewed if fresh evidence is received.
• Multidisciplinary care planning is in place for all detainees whose age is in dispute. Their location in and movement around the centre is on the basis of a risk assessment and pays due attention to their individual needs.
• Detainees assessed to be under 18 are released into appropriate care as soon as possible. Comprehensive written information is kept on each age dispute case, showing the time taken for assessment and, where relevant, release.
• Detainees who say they are children are assisted to obtain legal advice and representation and supported to contact any other individuals or agencies.

¹³This will be reviewed in light of changes in legislation.