FOI Request - Asylum Applications and Age Assessments

Request 101003541062

The information I am seeking is related to age assessments and numbers of asylum claims made in the periods stated below.  Age assessments pertains to those detailed in ‘Assessing age for asylum applicants: caseworker guidance’ published by the UK Gov and available via their website.

1. How many asylum claims were for children the local authority were responsible for?
2. How many age assessments were undertaken in 2023?
3. How many of these age assessments were successful in determining the individual being assessed as a child? How many determined the individual as an adult?
4. How many children did the local authority receive via the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) that had language within their paperwork shared from the Home Office that indicate an age assessment may need to be carried out?
5. Questions 1-4 above relating to 2022.
6. Questions 1-4 above relating to 2021.
7. Questions 1-4 above relating to 2020.
8. Questions 1-4 above relating to 2019.
9. How many age assessments does the local authority have ongoing?
10. How many individuals (if any) do the local authority have awaiting assessment?

Response 30-04-2024

1. 2019: <5* 

2020: <5* 

2021: <5* 

2022: 8 

2023: 17

*Numbers less than 5 have been redacted (*) as release of the low numbers may result in the identification of individuals. This information is therefore exempt from release under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - personal information. 
 

2. 2019 X 0, 2020 x 0, 2021 x 0, 2022 x 0, 2023 X 0

3. Not applicable

4. All children had 'Age Disputed' in their paperwork; however, this is not an instruction to complete an age assessment, rather it informs that the young person has no documentation to evidence their age.

5.  -8. Please see above (question 1 and 2)

9. None

10. None