7.1 From a safeguarding perspective, local authorities have duties to support migrant families with No Recourse to Public Funds. These families face a high risk of poverty and destitution. COSLA’s online platform Migration Scotland has supplementary guidance for local authorities and other professionals on migrant rights and entitlements. This guidance must be followed when assessing a child’s needs.
7.2 Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and Trafficked Children – An IRD is held for all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and trafficked children coming into the area. The full rights of the UNCRC are principal to all actions taken and every child is provided with the safety and care given to any UK national. Home Office processes are followed. Trauma informed support to help understanding and healing is paramount for children.
7.3 Contextual safeguarding needs to be considered in managing the risks posed to and from the child and other children who may be involved. A traditional focus on child and family and which does not consider the relevance of wider relationships and the location of harm, may not suffice in managing presenting behaviours or reducing contextual risks. In these situations, it may be necessary to consider an MDT meeting to consider the wider contextual safeguarding concerns.