How We Will Support You

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Age Assessment

You may come into our care with your age being ‘disputed’ by the Home Office, this can be via the National Transfer Scheme, or If you have come into our care following a Brief Enquiry as the Home Office assessed you as being over 18 and placed you in an adult accommodation.

If there are concerns about your age or reasons to believe that you look older or younger than the age that you have stated, you may need to be age assessed. You would be supported during the age assessment by an interpreter and Appropriate Adult. The interpreter will speak with you in your main language and tell the social worker your answers to the assessment questions. The Appropriate Adult will be present to ensure the process is fair, lawful and not oppressive.

You will be asked lots of questions that may feel quite personal, and this is because lots of information needs to be gathered from you to try and establish your age. If you have documents to prove your age, you’ll be asked to show these to the Social Workers.

It is important that you are treated as a child until a decision is made about your age. If the decision is that you are under 18 years old, you will continue to be treated as a child. However, if a decision is made that you are 18 years old or older, you will be treated as an adult, and the Home Office will provide you with accommodation and support via an appropriate adult service.

If this happens, it is your right to seek legal advice and challenge the decision. You should speak to a Solicitor for advice about this. You have 3 months from the outcome of your Age Assessment to challenge this decision.

The outcome of the Age Assessment must be shared with you in a way that you understand using interpreters. It is important that you get expert legal advice, as quickly as possible, if the outcome of the Age Assessment states an age that is different to the one you have provided.

Applying for Asylum

What does asylum mean?

Asylum is a way for people to stay in the UK when it is not safe for them to return to their home country. It means you are asking for protection because you could be harmed if you go back.

What happens next?

Once your age has been confirmed, you can continue with your asylum application. This is an important step to help keep you safe and give you the right to stay in the UK.

Statement Of Evidence (SEF)

To complete your Statement of Evidence (SEF), you will need an immigration solicitor. They will arrange appointments with you and help you fill in the form.

You must complete the SEF within 60 days of making your asylum application, so it is very important to attend all your solicitor appointments. We will help you find a solicitor.

The SEF will ask questions about:

  • You and your family
  • Your journey to the UK
  • What happened to you
  • What you are worried or afraid about
  • What you think might happen if you had to leave the UK

Anything you tell your solicitor is confidential. They will not share it without your permission, except if:

  • You or someone else might be harmed
  • There is a serious crime or terrorism risk

    Substantive Review

    This is an important interview with a Home Office caseworker. They will ask you questions about:

    • Why you came to the UK
    • Your journey here
    • Your family and life in your home country
    • Why you are afraid to return

    They already have some information from your screening interview and your Statement of Evidence (SEF), but they may ask for more details to understand your story fully.

    If you arrived without documents, they might ask questions about your country, such as cities, landmarks, or currency.

    Who will be there?

    • Your Social Worker, PA, or Support -Worker (if you are under 18)
    • Your Solicitor (they cannot answer questions for you)
    • An Interpreter (to help you understand everything)

    What to expect

    The interview can be long and sometimes upsetting. You can take breaks—ask your Social Worker or Support Worker if you need one.

    The Home Office decision can take many months. If you are worried, speak to your Social Worker or Solicitor.

    After the decision

    • Your Solicitor will explain what the decision means.
    • If your asylum claim is refused, you may be able to appeal. Your Solicitor will advise you.
    • If you cannot appeal, you become Appeal Rights Exhausted (ARE). Your Social Worker and PA will explain what happens next and support you.
    • If you must return to your home country, the UK Government will arrange travel. This may take a long time.