Last September, we launched our groundbreaking report, “Unlocking Support: Age Disputed Young People in Scotland.”
The report reveals critical findings and highlights the pressing need for a unified, proactive approach to address these challenges:
- Delays in safeguarding referrals
The report uncovers significant delays in local authority referrals, with young people often waiting weeks or even months for support. In some cases, authorities unlawfully refuse to engage, relying on flawed Home Office age assessments. The requirement for referrals to come via the police adds another obstacle. These delays leave many young people, including trafficking victims, in unsafe conditions, sharing accommodation with adults and facing increased risks of exploitation. - Inconsistent age assessments across Scotland
Even when local authorities engage, the fairness and consistency of their age assessments vary widely. Based on Freedom of Information requests from 32 Scottish local authorities, the report reveals a “postcode lottery” of practice. 41% of young people referred to local authorities are classified as adults after just one brief enquiry, with outcomes differing greatly depending on the local authority. Legal challenges have overturned many of these decisions, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the assessments.
Read more on our Executive summary.
Read the legal opinion from Janys Scott KC.
