Practical guidance for protecting unaccompanied children in the relocation process

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Coordination

• Protocols and standard operating procedures laying down steps, responsibilities and safeguards in a transparent and clear manner
• One coordinating body
• Child protection authorities involved to ensure better integration of child protection expertise

Age assessment

• Age assessment only in cases of doubt, and with adequate safeguards
• Apply the benefit of the doubt
• Use EASO practical guidance on age assessment, and the gradual implementation of methods starting with non-medical methods

Idenitfication and selection of children

• Common and non-discriminatory eligibility criteria applied by all Member States
• Avoid too stringent eligibility criteria
• Prioritisation of especially vulnerable children
• Involvement of NGOs and international actors in reaching out

Guardian and legal support

• Immediate appointment and involvement of the guardian throughout the procedure
• Guardian trained on relocation and on Dublin procedures
• Coordination of the guardian with other actors involved
• Free legal information, assistance and representation to the child and to the guardian

Information

• Timely, effective and regular information at each step of the procedure
• Information easy to understand for children, written and oral
• Support of help lines and cultural mediators or other communication channels

Best interests determination

• Accelerate family reunion in Dublin cases
• Child’s views are considered during the whole process
• Repetitive questioning to the child is avoided
• Child and guardian consent to the relocation

Security checks

• Prioritisation of checks based on existing biometric data against European and national databases
• Guardian accompanies the child in case interview is strictly necessary
• Interview done by trained staff and with child appropriate methods
• Explicit justification in case of rejection for security concerns

Pre-departure preparation and transfer

• Child-friendly pre-departure information sessions
• Early coordination of both Member States to transfer the child’s care responsibilities
• Establish as soon as possible contact between the child and the future child guardian or carer
• Travel escort is the same person that was in contact with the child before the transfer
• Timely, safe and data protection compliant transfer of files

Services after transfer

• Information about the child to child protection authorities in the Member State of relocation
• Information to the child about procedures and next
• Transition plan for the child reaching majority