Initial health assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: advice and good practice

There were 3,762 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in the UK in 2021. UASC often have significant physical and mental health needs. They suffer from conditions linked to extreme poverty, such as malnutrition and tuberculosis. The proportion of UASC with complications related to their vision, dental health, skin, sleep, and mental health is high. They are also at increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including blood-borne infections. UASC become ‘looked after’ by their local authorities and therefore should have Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) in the same way as other children also in the care of their local authorities. IHAs are comprehensive and holistic health assessments, and as such are ideal for identifying previously unrecognized or unmet health needs of UASC and for providing clear health plans on how these health needs should be managed. This article will provide an overview of the national statistics and demographics of the UASC population, describe the demographics of the local UASC population within Birmingham and highlight their health needs, and then provide advice on how to conduct IHAs in the most effective and sensitive way for this particularly vulnerable group of children in care.