Migrant Children's Project Newsletter
September 2018
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If you have used our guidance and resources recently, please take two
minutes to complete our short survey here. Calais leave This month, the government has announced a new form of leave (permission) to remain for children brought over to the UK from Calais refugee camp last year, who would not otherwise qualify for asylum. 'Calais leave' will be granted to children who resettled in the UK as part of the closure of Calais 'jungle' between October 2016 and July 2017, and have family ties in the UK. Just like refugee status and humanitarian protection, as part of their leave they will be given the right to study, work and access public funds and healthcare. They will also be given the option to apply for settlement in ten years.
For information on asylum seeking children joining their family under the Dublin Regulation, see our fact sheet here.
Fact sheet: further education
We have updated our fact sheet on access to further education for migrant and refugee young people. Our fact sheet extensively covers information on eligibility for education at college and school sixth forms, and access to adult education. For more information, click here to view the full fact sheet.
For more information on access to education for migrant children and young people, also see our fact sheets on access to compulsory education, access to higher education, and working and volunteering for young refugees and migrants.
Free school meals and undocumented children
In May 2018, in response to news coverage in The Guardian which stated that children are 'denied free school meals because of parents' immigration status', the Department for Education published a news story with incorrect information on access to free school meals. The news story contained a statement stating that 'free school meals are provided to all disadvantaged pupils who need them regardless of their nationality and immigration status'. However, this is not true. Undocumented children are not entitled to free school meals, financial support for uniforms or help with transport to and from school. This lack of support can have serious ramifications with regard to children's academic performance and integration, and negative consequences for the schools they attend.
For more information on migrant children and eligibility for free school meals, see our full news story here. If you are in London, you can also support the North East London Migrant Action (NELMA) 'left out at lunch' campaign. More details here.
Labour pledges to end 'rip off' Home Office fees in immigration cases
Let us Learn and Coram Children's Legal Centre, working on the 'We Belong' campaign, welcome this month's pledge from Labour to end the current 'rip off' immigration application fees by reducing them to more closely reflect the actual cost of processing applications. As noted in a speech by Shadow Home Secretary Dianne Abbott, many immigration fees and charges are exorbitant and hit the poor hardest. The high cost of the immigration system is having a devastating effect on young people who have grown up in this country and spent their whole lives integrating into British society. We welcome this month's commitment from Labour on immigration application fees and urge the government to implement changes to the current system without delay.
For more information on fees and their impact, read CCLC and Let us Learn's joint briefings here.
If you have queries about these or other issues, please contact our advice line at [email protected].
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Our upcoming training courses in 2018 Our courses can all be booked online - just visit our Eventbrite page! An introduction to the rights of children and young people in the immigration system
Coram Campus, London Thursday, 11 October 2018, 2pm - 5pm Access to education for migrant children
Coram Campus, London Thursday, 31 January 2019, 2pm - 5pm The rights and entitlements of young refugees and migrants Coram Campus, London Thursday, 4 October 2018, 10am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 21 November 2018, 10am - 4:30pm Supporting undocumented and NRPF families
Coram Campus, London Monday, 5 November 2018, 10am - 4:30pm For more information and to book, please see our eventbrite page. To commission in-house training for your organisation, please see our website. New reports and guidance What Price Safe Motherhood? Charging for NHS Maternity Care in England and its Impact on Migrant Women
Maternity Action, September 2018
Latest news
Children hit by UK’s hostile environment
The Guardian, 24 September 2018 Children as young as 10 denied UK citizenship for failing 'good character test'
The Guardian, 20 September 2018
Refugee children face long delays accessing education in UK
The Guardian, 20 September 2018 NHS fees for maternity care 'putting migrant mothers at risk'
The Guardian, 18 September 2018
UK offers 'Calais leave' to children denied asylum
The Guardian, 13 September 2018
Fixing refugee family reunion system not a Home Office priority, inspector says
Free Movement, 5 September 2018
British boy who has lived in country since birth refused entry to UK on return from holiday
The Independent, 4 September 2018
Home Office loses 75% of its appeals against immigration rulings
The Guardian, 3 September 2018 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. |
