The Border and Immigration Agency Code of Practice for Keeping Children Safe from Harm

Remark: this is a consultation document and it is not a current, operational code of practice. Extracts: This Code of Practice is extremely important: it represents a change in the way the Border and Immigration Agency carries out its responsibilities towards children; and it represents change for those children themselves. The test of its importance will lie in the extent to which it helps shift the Agency’s culture its attitude and its behaviour towards children. Too often the children who are subject to immigration control are dealt with either as the adjuncts of those adults with whom they are arrive in this country or by procedures designed principally for adults.

The Code forms part of the wider work the Government has undertaken to improve the welfare of children in the UK. Every child does matter as much if they are subject to immigration control as if they are British citizens. Protecting the border may mean that migrant children who come to this country may not remain here but it does not mean that in enforcing immigration laws the way to treat children should not be without proper regard to keeping them safe.