1.How many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were supported by your children’s services department in the financial years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017?
In 2015-16 Devon County Council supported a number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children during the year, and they were all being supported as at the 31st March 2016.
The Council is not able to disclose the actual number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children as we are concerned that if this information were released into the public domain, it might enable these vulnerable children to be identified. Were this to occur, we consider this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. As such, we feel these figures are exempt by virtue of the exemption at Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Personal Data.
In 2016-17 Devon County Council supported 20 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
2. As a snapshot figure, how many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were supported by your children’s services department as of 31st March 2016?
Devon County Council can confirm that we hold this information. However we are not able to disclose the actual figures as we are concerned that if this information were released into the public domain, it might enable these vulnerable children to be identified. Were this to occur, we consider this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. As such, we feel these figures are exempt under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Personal Data.
For the financial years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017:
3. How many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were referred to your children’s services department?
In 2015-16 a number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children were referred to Devon County Council and they were all being supported as at the 31st March 2016.
The Council is not able to disclose the actual number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children referred to us as we are concerned that if this information were released into the public domain, it might enable these vulnerable children to be identified. Were this to occur, we consider this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. As such, we feel these figures are exempt under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Personal Data.
In 2016-17 Devon County Council had 20 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children referred.
4. Of those referred how many had their ages assessed by your children’s services?
Devon County Council can confirm that we hold this information. However we are not able to disclose the actual number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children as we are concerned that if this information were released into the public domain, it might enable these vulnerable children to be identified. Were this to occur, we consider this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. As such, we feel these figures are exempt by virtue of the exemption at Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Personal Data.
5. Of those whose ages were assessed, how many were:
a) Accepted to be children?
b) Accepted to be children and provided with support under section 20 of the Children Act?
c) Found to be 18 years of age or over?
In response to question 5a), 5b) and 5c) the Council is not able to disclose the actual number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children as we are concerned that if this information were released into the public domain, it might enable these vulnerable children to be identified. Were this to occur, we consider this would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. As such, we feel these figures are exempt by virtue of the exemption at Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Personal Data.
6. Of those individuals whose ages were assessed as different to the age they claimed, how many subsequently challenged the assessment by initiating judicial review proceedings?
We have not received any challenges on behalf of individuals who may have been the subject of age assessments, therefore we do not hold that information.
7. How many age assessments were overturned as a result of the initiation or pursuit of judicial review proceedings?
We have not received any challenges on behalf of individuals who may have been the subject of age assessments, therefore we do not hold that information.