Migrant Children's Project Newsletter
October 2019
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If you used our guidance and resources recently, please take two
minutes to help us improve them by completing our short survey here. Finally: legal aid for children in care This week, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that looked after children with an immigration or nationality law issue are finally back in scope for legal aid. Previously, since July 2018, it has been possible to get legal aid for looked after children by applying for exceptional case funding, although application numbers for exceptional case funding have remained proportionally low overall. Coram Children's Legal Centre are thrilled with this change, which came about following strategic litigation from The Children's Society and others and many years of campaigning for children's access to justice. Please help us by sharing the news with children's social work practitioners and legal aid providers alike so that as many children as possible can benefit from this exciting development!
Supporting young victims of trafficking We looked on with shock and sorrow this week as the news of 39 individuals who had lost their lives trapped in a refrigerated lorry in Essex unfolded. The news has reignited a much-needed conversation about trafficking in the UK. To better understand the legal dynamics and implications of trafficking for children and young people take a look at our fact sheets on indicators of trafficking, immigration and trafficking, and age disputes and the criminal justice system. The report Precarious Journeys: Mapping vulnerabilities of victims of trafficking from Vietnam to Europe explores the dangerous journeys undertaken by adults and children who are trafficked from Vietnam, the many complex reasons behind the journeys and the views of young people in the UK who have experienced it first-hand. Young people need long term stability to recover from exploitation, rebuild their lives and remain safe from harm - but the hostile environment often prevents this. Give trafficked children a stable future: sign ECPAT UK's petition here.
EU settlement scheme update The EU settlement scheme has remained in the news this month as the UK today (31 October) did not leave the EU. However, children and adults from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland AND their non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members still need to apply to the scheme. The deadlines for making an application to the EU settlement scheme are 31 December 2020 (in a 'no deal' scenario) or 30 June 2021 (if we leave with an agreement).
This month shadow Immigration Minister Afzal Khan in the Times as well as Politics Home raised the plight of children in the care system, who often lack the documents needed to apply. 57 organisations are funded to support vulnerable people to apply to the settlement scheme, but only until March 2020. If you are supporting a child you think might be eligible, do not wait to find help with their case. To make a referral to Coram Children's Legal Centre email mcp@coramclc.org.uk.
If you have queries about these or other issues, please contact our advice line at mcpadvice@coramclc.org.uk.
Our upcoming training courses Our courses can all be booked online - just visit our Eventbrite page! The rights and entitlements of young refugees and migrants Coram Campus, London Wednesday, 20 November 2019, 10am - 4pm An introduction to the rights of children and young people in the immigration system
Coram Campus, London Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 2pm - 5pm or more information and to book, please see our eventbrite page. To commission in-house training for your organisation, please see our website.
Latest news
Thousands of children in care could be stranded after Brexit under settlement scheme
The Times, 30 October 2019
Ex-commissioner condemns 'failing' UK approach to human trafficking
The Guardian, 28 October 2019
How the plight of refugee children getting on lorries is going to get even worse after Brexit
Independent, 27 October 2019 Trafficked Vietnamese and the lure of UK nail bars and cannabis farms
The Guardian, 25 October 2019
Refugee age rows having 'devastating impact' on children
The Guardian, 23 October 2019
Plague of incorrect Biometric Residence Permits causes havoc across education sector
Freemovement, 16 October 2019
Charity launches legal action against NHS fees for pregnant migrants
The Guardian, 16 October 2019
Govt no-deal announcement cuts vital services for refugees
politics.co.uk, 10 October 2019
More than 500,000 EU nationals apply to stay in UK in single month amid ‘terror’ at prospect of no-deal Brexit
Independent, 9 October 2019
New Met police bid to share crime victims’ data with Home Office
The Guardian, 5 October 2019
Ministers accused of 'disgraceful U-turn' over post-Brexit funds for refugees
The Guardian, 4 October 2019 Let us know what you think! Do you use our website, publications or advice line? Your thoughts and feedback help us ensure that we're providing the right information and support. Please take two minutes to complete our short survey.
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