Detention of Unaccompanied Minors

Unaccompanied minors should not be detained for 24 hours, save in the most exceptional circumstances, such as where the social work department refuse to intervene and there is no alternative to detention. A senior officer must approve detention beyond 24 hours.

In age disputed cases where Immigration consider the child to be above 18 years of age, s/he is treated as an adult and subject to normal detention procedures until evidence is produced confirming the applicant is a minor under the age of 18.

Minors who turn 18 should not be detained simply on age grounds.

The Home Office policy on dealing with detention of unaccompanied minors.