The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is advising social workers not to take on any jobs with the Home Office agency which assesses the ages of young unaccompanied asylum-seekers.
This guidance was issued following numerous reports of adult asylum seekers falsely claiming to be children.
Ruth Allen, chief executive for BASW said taking on a role with the Home Office’s National Age Adjustment Board (NAAB) was a “risk to professional objectivity and could compromise the judgment of social workers”.
To try and tackle the issue, a new system for age assessments is being introduced whereby the NAAB will carry out its own assessments. Currently, local authorities carry out the majority of the work.
The act will also allow for the use of scientific methods to help determine an individual’s age, including x-rays of wisdom teeth and MRI scans of the knee and collar bones.
Home Office advisors have agreed that this approach needs to be combined with social work assessments to ensure accuracy.
Social Personnel hopes to see officials reach a solution which guarantees the safety of all parties involved and allows asylum seekers to feel welcome in the UK.
Want to chat? Drop our team an email via [email protected] – we’re happy to answer any queries and help you find your next social work role.
carlette Isaac
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is advising social workers not to take on any jobs with the Home Office agency which assesses the ages of young unaccompanied asylum-seekers.
This guidance was issued following numerous reports of adult asylum seekers falsely claiming to be children.
Ruth Allen, chief executive for BASW said taking on a role with the Home Office’s National Age Adjustment Board (NAAB) was a “risk to professional objectivity and could compromise the judgment of social workers”.
To try and tackle the issue, a new system for age assessments is being introduced whereby the NAAB will carry out its own assessments. Currently, local authorities carry out the majority of the work.
The act will also allow for the use of scientific methods to help determine an individual’s age, including x-rays of wisdom teeth and MRI scans of the knee and collar bones.
Home Office advisors have agreed that this approach needs to be combined with social work assessments to ensure accuracy.
Social Personnel hopes to see officials reach a solution which guarantees the safety of all parties involved and allows asylum seekers to feel welcome in the UK.
Want to chat? Drop our team an email via [email protected] – we’re happy to answer any queries and help you find your next social work role.