Asylum seeker young people: Social work value conflicts in negotiating age assessment in the UK

Abstract

This article examines social work with separated young asylum seekers following armed conflict, and focuses on ethical issues arising from contradictions between core social work values and immigration control. It considers problems facing these young people and policy responses internationally, in Europe and the UK. The tension between child welfare and immigration control permeates these responses, with the latter usually trumping the former. Age assessment is a particularly contentious issue involving UK social workers. Drawing on findings from a study of age assessment practice, the study concludes with the centrality of maintaining social work values and links with wider campaigning.