Introduction

This page discusses an issue and possible solution around asylum seeking young people. Within this page I am not going to be addressing or commenting on asylum policies, legality or morality.

Issue

Asylum seeking young people often do not have identification papers which authorities commonly use to establish a persons age, within the UK there is no formal method of ascertaining age beyond formal documents or questioning. In the case of asylum seeking young people, there is a distinct advantage for them to claim they are children (i.e. under the age of 18). This could lead to young adults (i.e. those above 18) being cared for and housed with children (i.e. under the age of 18) and the associated child protection risks.

Solution

This page will be focusing on a formal process to ascertain whether a “Asylum Seeking Young People” is under 18 years of age or not.

Referral

Social worker or immigration officer believes/suspects an asylum seeking young person claiming to be under 18 is actually older than 18 they can refer the young person to a health care professional.

Healthcare
Professional

The health care professional conducts a number of non-invasive tests which provide indication of age, specifically being

 

Phase 1 – Changes in Body	Score very mature = 3 mature = 2 immature = 1
Muscle development
Penile development
Pubic Hair
Auxillary hair
Facial hair
Breast buds and breast tissue
Skin changes
Score

 

 

Score less than than 13	Score between 13 and 17	Score above 18
Advise referer that young person appears to be a child.	Advise referer that age of young person is questionable and further tests required	Advise referer that age of young person appears to be older than 18 and if the young person disputes this further tests will be required
Issue closed	Referer informs young person, and advised on further tests	Referer informs young person of results and offers them an opportunity to change their age statement
	Go to Phase 2 X-Ray Tests	Young person changes age statement
		No – Refer informs young person, and advised on further tests	YES – passed back to referer
		Go to Phase 2 – X-Ray Tests

 

Phase 2 – X-Ray Tests	Score very mature = 3 mature = 2 immature = 1
Ossification of bones (wrist bones and long bones) and joints is a good marker for children
dental condition and x rays, wisdom teeth often arrive later in young adulthood
Degeneration changes as one gets older
Vital Capacity
Compare lung vital capacity for men and women and for given age groups.
Score

 

Score equal to or less than 5	Score greater than 5
Advice referer that young person appears to be a child.	Advice referer that age of young person appears to be older than 18 and if the young person disputes this further tests will be required
Issue closed	Referer informs young person of results and offers them an opportunity to change their age statement
Young person changes age statement
No – Refer informs young person, and adviced on futher invasive tests	YES – passed back to referer
Go to phase 3 Carbon dating tests
Obtain a sample of bone biopsy from the young person and measure the radioactive carbon within the sample. Subtract this from the current levels of carbon in the atmosphere to establish age. Link to supporting articule