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<p>Where clear and credible documentary evidence of age is not available, criteria
including physical appearance and demeanour are used as part of the process to assess
whether a person is under 18. The Home Office will treat a person claiming to be a
child as an adult only where their physical appearance and demeanour very strongly
suggest they are 25 years of age or over.</p><p>When there is doubt about an individual’s
claim to be a child, Home Office policy is to refer them to the relevant local authority
to carry out a careful “Merton compliant” age assessment, which must be carried out
by two social workers and must adhere to guidelines set out by the Courts. Whilst
this assessment is ongoing, the local authority or Health and Social Care Trust looking
after the individual remains responsible for their care arrangements and the safeguarding
of other children in their care.</p><p>The Home Office keeps its policies and processes
under review and we remain committed to striking the right balance between ensuring
that children who claim asylum are appropriately supported and maintaining the integrity
of the asylum system by preventing adults being treated as children.</p>
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