Supporting the Victims of Trafficking : The Scottish Guardianship Pilot Service

1. Supporting the Victims of Trafficking : The Scottish Guardianship Pilot Service SUII Human Trafficking event The Lighthouse Friday 14th December 2012

2. The History of Guardianship European Models – NIDOS Frequent calls for guardianship in the UK from : Scottish Children's Commissioner Save the Children All three Refugee Councils Requirements for Guardianship directly come from : UN Committee on Rights of the Child Art UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) European Union - Council of Europe Action against Trafficking In Human Beings 2000/r.2006 Incoming Council of Europe directive 3/2006 4/13

3. The Beginnings of Guardianship in Scotland Scottish Refugee Council research (Hopkins and Hill, 2006) Advocacy and development work. Inclusion within Scottish Government’s UNCRC Action Plan Ministerial call Several consultations with young people, what a guardian would look like including sessions with the Scottish Government “We want an Asylum Teacher” Roundtable discussions with key stakeholders in Nov 2008 and Dec 2009 Funding presentations

4. Why Scottish Refugee Council? Why Aberlour? Scottish Refugee Council receives the majority of separated children. Advice services to asylum seekers and refugees. Only NGO in Scotland to advocate on refugee children’s issues Aberlour Childcare Trust is the largest Scottish children-focussed charity in Scotland with 40+ projects across Scotland Wide range of services targeting very vulnerable children – e.g. specialist fostering, runaways, children who are traumatised, involved in gang activity and addiction issues Track record of partnership working including projects with GCC and other LA who commission their services Together, both organisations have a well developed advocacy role, large networks and resources, and both straddle and galvanise two highly political sectors

5. Joint development of the project Purpose of the pilot: to test a system of Guardianship in Scotland Business Plan – Outcomes – Evaluation ‘Day in the Life of a Guardian’ Premises Groundwork with agencies Recruitment

6. Evaluation and outcomes Outcome 1 The focus of this outcome is on making the experience of the immigration process better for separated children working with the project. By end of this project, separated children working with the project will have a significantly improved experience of the immigration and child welfare processes. Supported by an Independent Advocate they will have: 1. demonstrated, at key points, understanding of how these processes work 2. participated actively within the processes and made informed decisions about their future 3. received services and responses appropriate to their needs and entitlements

7. Evaluation and Outcomes 2 Outcome 2 The focus of this outcome is on the pilot developing into a model for systemic improvements By the end of the project, the Guardianship pilot will have developed a child-centred model of practice that: 1. promotes improved inter-agency working within the immigration and child welfare processes, meeting relevant UNHCR guidelines 2. improves the quality of information upon which the UKBA decision-making process is based 3. provides benefits that would be applicable beyond Scotland.

8. What is Guardianship? Holistic, child centred, working with the ‘whole’ child, rights based approach Navigator, guide, diary organiser Educator, asylum teacher and mentor Advocate and scrutineer Supporter and ‘Sense maker’ Caseworker Responsible adult role Contribute to the identification of durable solutions Best interests and Human Rights considerations Independent monitoring Additional time spent with young people Flexible and bespoke approach Participation – based on resilience model Bridging, linking and bonding GIRFEC model of good practice Supporting Agencies System Improvement Making young people’s lives feel ordinary again (R Kohli, 2012) Tea and toast!

9. What is a Guardian ? Definition agreed by PAG November 11 A Guardian is someone who accompanies children and young people when they claim asylum or are trafficked and are cared for by health, education and welfare services. A Guardian will help a child or young person to be actively involved in decisions that affect their life and to get the help they need, when they need it. A Guardian is on the child's side, can explain what is happening to them, will listen to their views and experiences and speak up for them when needed. A Guardian will also help a child or young person to plan their future, whether in the UK or elsewhere

10. Domains of work Well-being Lawyers UKBA Asylum Social networks Social work Known Family contacts Health Scottish Guardianship Service Known adults Carers Known Friends Education

11. Our vision of Guardianship That every separated child and young person in Scotland is allocated a Guardian upon first arrival and is supported from arrival to integration or return Guardianship is embedded in children’s legislation – CYP Bill /GIRFEC Our model influences UK Future models , vols, statutory powers consistency and independence

12. Vital statistics 93 young people 17 nationalities Afghanistan, Vietnam, Somalia,Nigeria, Iran Trafficking Indicators Decision Systemic changes : age assessment, child friendly interview rooms, trafficking, forms

13. Guardianship and Trafficking Unanticipated high number – around 26% cases Complexity of cases Criminalisation of cases Dual processing Interviewing Lack of use of tools already developed, notion of “other” SCCYP

14. Guardianship and Trafficking- Practice Identification First Responder Gaps , time lapses Peer support , not being the only one Participation Safe housing Learning from victims directly

15. Guardianship and Trafficking – Policy Cross Party on Human Trafficking Summit outcomes Proposal – child victims >child protection Relationship with organisations eg ECPAT, coalitions Compliance with EU Directive and Guardianship therein

16. The immediate future 30-month pilot phase ends Feb 2013 (agreement to extend to 31 March using underspend) Practice Manual Second and last Learning Event 26 April 2013 Launch of final evaluation Future models / delivery options Questions still being asked - trafficking, best interests v voice of child, return , stat powers Going back to young people Evaluation and info:http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/search?q=guardianship+ Clare.tudor@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.ukTel 0141 223 7973