Thank goodness that Ann Owers (Inspector) has highlighted some of the injustices within this Centre but she has failed to highlight the fact that nearly all the children and young people 'detained' there (it is their parents who are detained and they are with them) do not receive any of the legal protections under the Children Act 1989 - they are locked up but not in 'Care; nor 'accommodated.'

These children and young people are kept within secure conditions but are not subject to Secure Accommodation Orders or receiving proper welfare monitoring or reviews - it is a public disgrace and a social work disgrace which needs immediate resolution. The fact that there is a social worker there does not mean that a social work service is being properly provided - how can the relevant Social Work Departments in the Local Authorities from where these families have been moved from countenance the locking up of children and young people without any legal safeguards? It is a scandal - and I would say that it is not far off Guantanamo Bay in respect of these children and young peoples' needs for safety and protection. Where alse are children locked up just because of their parents actions?

Perhaps the social worker at Yarls Wood should be bringing Care Proceedings in order to obtain proper legal protection for these children and young people.

 You are right Rupert - it is an utter scandal and I was really moved reading about the treatment of detainees, the children in particular. When you likened the situation to Guantanamo Bay I thought you must be exaggerating - alas you weren't! I really hope the report brings about some action to improve the situation, but looking back at concerns highlighted in previous reports on Yarl's Wood, dating back over several years, it seems like a vain hope.

Thank you very much 'Northern Girl' - for other readers the Link is below:

 http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/08/22/109189/children-with-learning-disabilities-held-at-yarls-wood.html

 The situation can not be allowed to continue.

it is appaling.

it is also appaling the way this country treats all asylum seekers.

there is a definate case of insttutional racism and as a community we should all do something about it even if it is bombard the home office with letters and emails. 

Every Child Matters as long as they are not children of asylum seekers!!! 

Thanks 'lizzer' - but I don't think that enough people care that much to really acheive anything. I just hope that those of us who make Postings on this Site will convince the Powers that be to take the plights of these poor children more seriously and that very much includes those Local Authorities from which these children originate.

There is another inspection report out this week citing very similar concerns at Tinsley House IRC read here

The Tinsley House inspection report has this really sad case: "We observed the arrival of one family who had been picked up from their home in Leeds at 7.45am. They arrived at the centre at 1pm, but had to wait in the van outside the reception area for about an hour as eight detainees were about to be removed, one under restraint. Both parents were in a distressed state when they arrived, and force had been used to remove them from their home in the presence of their three children – two sons aged seven and two, and a daughter aged nine. 
We spoke to the children, who had been given colouring books by reception staff to occupy them while their mother tried to organise their property and their father made telephone calls. The two older children described tearfully how their parents had been restrained and how their mother had been brought to the centre in her pyjamas and without shoes, and had cut her feet. They said that the escort staff had been kind to them, but the girl had been sick in the van several times with the journey continuing regardless. The children spoke of their fear of returning to Yemen, saying that they would all be killed. They had many questions, including whether they would be staying at the centre that night and when they would be returning to school. There was no childcare specialist staff on hand in reception to deal with them."

I think Anne Owers has highlighted some real injustices not only in the immigration field, which she's been covering more recently, but also in the criminal and youth justice sector. I wrote an article on children being transported to courts/prison with escort services and their treatment was appalling - having to urinate in the cage they were placed in, having no seat belts etc read more

 The New Statesman has begun a campaign, "No Place for Children", calling for an end to the detention of children in centres like Yarls Wood.

 http://www.newstatesman.com/subjects/no-place-for-children

There was also an interesting discussion on Radio 4 today. Childrens Commissioner, Al Aynsley Green spoke about what he saw on his visits to Yarls Wood, and Natasha Walters, campaigner for refugee women challenged claims made by Lynne Homer of UK Border and Immigration. You can listen to it on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2008_36_fri.shtml

Maybe we can all support this campaign and stop this brutal and traumatizing treatment of children now.

Thanks for this 'Northern Girl' - the Links are really interesting and will, hopefully, lead to real legal challenge to Yarls Wood's inhumane regime. My own opinion is that Social Workers employed there should vote with their feet and the responsible Local Authority should refuse to have anything to do with it - other than be highly critical. We treat animals better.

A child has been released from Yarl's Wood after his solicitor challenged his detention - there is hope! read here

Thanks 'Muriel' - this is fantastic news. At long last perhaps we are beginning to witness the illegal and inhumane detention of children and young people in the likes of Yarls Wood Detention (and Dispersal) Centre. It seems to have taken even the legal profession a long time to address this issue but, hopefully, better late than never.

unfortunately, it's one thing to have a legal case, but it's quite another for the government to change their tune -- it seems that a Home Office plan to provide an alternative to detention for families has been abandoned - read here