Question reference: S5W-23268
- Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 17 May 2019
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 5 June 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place within Scottish local authorities to undertake an age assessment of an unaccompanied asylum-seeking young person who has previously been age assessed by another statutory agency in a different geographic location and determined to be an adult when they maintain they are a child.
Answer
Each Scottish local authority determines its own approach to age assessment and each case is taken on a case-by-case basis. The key principles are set out in the Scottish Government guidance: https://www.gov.scot/publications/age-assessment-practice-guidance-scotland-good-practice-guidance-support-social/ .
A person seeking asylum who wishes to dispute an age assessment undertaken by another statutory body can self-refer to the local authority, however in most instances a solicitor or third sector organisation who is supporting a young person will do this on their behalf.
If the young person does not agree with the outcome of an age assessment they can appeal the outcome with the help of a solicitor.
A person looking for legal advice on an immigration or asylum case has the right to the full range of publicly funded legal assistance available in Scotland.