Young asylum seekers far more likely to be assessed as adults by immigration officers than by social workers
Young asylum seekers in the UK are assessed as adults more frequently by immigration officers than by social workers. Home Office data shows that between July 2025 and March 2026, only 32% of assessments by immigration officials deemed new arrivals as children, compared to 68% by local authorities. Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of these assessments, particularly as many young people lack documentation to verify their age.
- ▪Home Office data reveals that immigration officers assess young asylum seekers as adults over twice as often as social workers.
- ▪From July 2025 to March 2026, only 32% of age assessments by immigration officials identified individuals as children, compared to 68% by local authorities.
- ▪Critics argue that the Home Office's visual assessments are inadequate and can lead to wrongful detention of minors.
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Young people arriving in the UK by small boat from France in 2022 wait on a beach in Kent before being taken for processing. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenYoung people arriving in the UK by small boat from France in 2022 wait on a beach in Kent before being taken for processing. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures/Getty ImagesImmigration and asylumYoung asylum seekers far more likely to be assessed as adults by immigration officers than by social workersLocal authorities deem UK arrivals to be children more than twice as often as border forces, Home Office data showsDiane TaylorWed 27 May 2026 09.17 EDTLast modified on Wed 27 May 2026 09.18 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleYoung asylum seekers in the UK are more than twice as likely…
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