Baroness Lister Calls for Independent Guardians for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking and Trafficked Children

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has reached the Committee Stage in the Lords. In the seventh committee stage sitting of the Bill, RAMP Associate Baroness Lister of Burtersett made the case for introducing independent guardians for unaccompanied asylum-seeking and trafficked children in England and Wales. Speaking to Amendment 166, Baroness Lister outlined how such a guardianship system would provide vital support for some of the most vulnerable young people navigating the UK’s complex immigration and social care systems.

The amendment, which was supported by RAMP Principal, The Bishop of Chelmsford and developed in consultation with the Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC), aimed to build on the existing Independent Child Trafficking Guardian service currently run by Barnardo’s and bring it in line with international best practice, as well as existing models in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Baroness Lister described the traumatic journeys faced by many unaccompanied children fleeing persecution and conflict, who then arrive in the UK and are immediately subjected to complex procedures, including age assessments, immigration interviews, and legal processes—often without anyone to guide them. “Imagine you are a child arriving cold, frightened, and alone,” she said. “Now imagine navigating this system without someone in your corner.”

She argued that independent guardians could make a significant difference, providing not only emotional support and advocacy but also helping to instruct legal representation and engage with public services

Baroness Lister referenced evaluations of the Scottish guardianship model, now known as Guardianship Scotland, and highlighted data from Barnardo’s showing improved mental health, reduced risk of children going missing, and better engagement with legal and social processes among children supported by a guardian. She also cited a recent study by LSE and the University of Bedfordshire, in which young asylum seekers expressed that having a consistent, knowledgeable adult made a fundamental difference to their wellbeing and sense of stability.

Baroness Lister emphasised that her proposal is in the spirit of improving child protection and wellbeing, and urged the Government to hold discussions with the Home Office to consider a future guardianship system