News

No welfare assessments of children detained in an immigration removal centre have taken place 18 months after the government announced the policy, writes Amy Taylor.

In December 2003 the Home Office said that the welfare and educational needs of any child detained in Dungavel, Scotland, for 21 days would be assessed.

But this week the Home Office confirmed that none had taken place.

A spokesperson said that if children were detained for over three days they were now moved to Yarl’s Wood.

However, he confirmed no assessments had begun at Yarl’s Wood as an alternative or at any other immigration removal centre.

The spokesperson added that Bedfordshire Council was currently recruiting a social worker to be based at Yarl’s Wood on a full-time basis and that they would carry out the assessments.

Sarah Cutler, policy and research officer at charity Bail for Immigration Detainees, said that a number of families were still being held in removal centres for over 21 days and that the assessments were urgently needed.