Asylum Seeker Families

NASS must make support available to the households of destitute asylum seekers which include dependent children under 18. The duty to families in IAA s 122 (as replaced by NIAA 2002 s 47).

The duty to support applies from when the family applies for support (s 122(2)) and will not stop for families with children until removal directions are issued or the family leaves the country (see below).

While NASS is providing support, the local authority may not provide support under s 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (s 122(5)). A local authority which is approached for help first can refer the family to NASS for support (s 122(3)(c)) (emergency accommodation should be accessible with the help of a 'one stop shop' such as the Scottish Refugee Council). As mentioned above, NASS accommodation is provided on a no choice basis.

NASS's duty to support the child includes the family as a whole (s 122(2)).