A free one-day conference, jointly sponsored by the Migrant and Refugee Children’s Legal Unit (MiCLU) and Kent Law Clinic will be hosted on Kent’s Canterbury campus on Thursday 24 November.
The conference aims to bring together professionals from a range of sectors including social care, legal, health and education to discuss the challenges they face in meeting the complex care, support and legal needs of unaccompanied and separated children seeking international protection in the UK.
As well as an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise, attendees will be able to consider what can be achieved in collaboration to meet some of the future challenges posed by the Immigration Acts.
MiCLU, hosted by Islington Law Centre, is a specialist legal, policy and training hub aimed at upholding and improving the rights of young people. Specialist solicitor Sheona York and Research Assistant Richard Warren work with students in Kent Law Clinic’s Immigration and Asylum Team to provide specialist advice and assistance to clients with immigration problems. Together they published a research report in May 2014, How Children Become “Failed Asylum-Seekers, which sought to improve outcomes for children seeking asylum in the UK.
Sheona said: ‘The number of displaced children around the world has reached historic levels and according to the latest figures from UNICEF, nearly 50 million children have been “uprooted” worldwide – with 28 million forcibly displaced by conflict and violence within and across borders. Children are fleeing to the EU for protection with little, if any, choice. Last year, Eurostat recorded 88,265 claims for asylum having been lodged by unaccompanied children across the EU, of which only 3.4% (3,045) were in the UK. The UK government has promised to protect more children and yet many continue to arrive on our shores through life-threatening means.’
Confirmed speakers at the conference, entitled ‘Child Refugees Welcome? Working together to meet the challenges of the Immigration Acts 2014 & 2016’, include:
- The Lord Dubs, sponsor of the ‘Dubs Amendment’ on child refugees
- Baljeet Sandhu, MiCLU, Islington Law Centre: Understanding child-specific persecution and harm
- Zoe Given-Wilson, Centre for the Study of Emotion in Law: Trauma and mental health of separated children and young people
- Ana Draper, UASC project in Kent Reception Centres: The physical and mental health needs of unaccompanied and separated young people arriving in Kent
- Catriona MacSween, Scottish Guardianship Service: Guardianship of separated and trafficked young people
- Shu Shin Luh, barrister, Garden Court Chambers: Care and support of separated young people after the Immigration Act 2016
- Kathryn Cronin, barrister, Garden Court Chambers: Understanding complex legal definitions and barriers to protection and support
- Daniel Rourke, Migrant Law Project, Islington Law Centre: Dublin III and family reunion for child refugees
- George Gabriel, Citizens UK: Reflections and audience discussion
The conference is supported by a grant of £2,000, awarded by Kent’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) from the Public Engagement with Research Fund.
It will take place between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Registration is available online and any queries about the event can be directed to: Jennifer Ang jennifera@islingtonlaw.org.uk; Richard Warren r.l.warren@kent.ac.uk; or Sheona York S.F.York@kent.ac.uk
