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<p>There are clear safeguarding issues which arise if a child is inadvertently treated
as an adult, and equally if an adult is wrongly accepted as a child and placed in
accommodation with younger children to whom they could present a risk. It is therefore
of upmost importance that, where a young asylum seeker’s age is in doubt, the process
of age assessment is resolved quickly and conclusively to ensure the right care is
provided for that individual.</p><p>Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are supported
by team leaders and support workers who are on site 24 hours a day. Further care is
provided in hotels by teams of social workers and nurses.</p><p>All staff, including
contractors, receive a number of briefings and guidance on how to safeguard children.</p><p>Local
authorities have a statutory duty to protect all children. Safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children is a key local authority duty and requires effective joint
working between agencies and professionals.</p>
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