UK has detained 76 ‘age-disputed’ children under one in, one out scheme

Concerns raised over minors placed in adult detention centres since removals began under scheme in September More than 70 children from various conflict zones whose ages were disputed by the Home Office have been held in detention centres in the UK in preparation for forced removal to France under the government’s “one in, one out” scheme, research shows. The one in, one out initiative means each small boat arrival can be forcibly returned to France in exchange for another person – who has not attempted the crossing – being brought to the UK legally. However, it is unlawful to detain unaccompanied child asylum seekers in adult detention centres. Data gathered by the Humans for Rights Network since removals under the scheme began last September, has identified 76 so-called age-disputed children who have been detained. Maddie Harris, of Humans for Rights Network, said: “Many of these children are survivors of torture and trafficking and are experiencing acute declines in their mental health as a result of what is often months of detention in the UK. “These children are additionally prejudiced from accessing the care and support they are entitled to as children as well a