High Court confirms that the use of hotels to house unaccompanied children is unlawful

The final judgment has been given in a case brought by ECPAT (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking) against Kent County Council (‘Kent CC’) and the Home Office, challenging the use of hotels to house unaccompanied children who have claimed asylum. In September 2021 Kent CC agreed a protocol with the Home Office setting out how…


Updated guide on family reunion

Free Movement recently published updated guidance for refugees, families, and their friends to understand the rules on family reunion. It was been updated by Ellie Doyle and Rhona French, Family Reunion from Europe Project, a project run by Refugee Legal Support in collaboration with Coram Children’s Legal Centre. 


Court finds unaccompanied children accommodated in hotels unlawfully

There has been an important judgment from the High Court today that found that Kent County Counil had breached their duties under the Children Act 1989 by not accommodating unaccompanied children who arrived in their area. The Home Office were also found to have acted unlawfully in accommodating unaccompanied children who had just arrived in…


Children and young people living in the England under the Ukraine schemes – new resource

Coram Children’s Legal Centre have worked with Coram BAAF, CFAB, Save the Children and FRG to jointly produce a FAQ document regarding children and young people living in kinship care arrangements in England through the Ukraine visa schemes. The Ukranian FAQs document is designed for social workers, advocates and other practitioners working with children and families,…


CCLC celebrates the life of a formidable young campaigner

We are devastated by the loss of a formidable young campaigner, Aisha Hamzat, who passed away suddenly at the end of 2022. As well as studying at university and working with several different organisations and youth representative bodies, Aisha was employed by CCLC as a Youth Rights Trainer and policy ambassador. Aisha campaigned for the…


Coram Children’s Legal Centre joins with other charities in raising serious concerns over children being caught up in the Home Office’s Rwanda policy

Coram Children’s Legal Centre has strongly opposed, in both legal and moral terms, the UK government’s plan to permanently remove people trying to claim asylum in the UK to Rwanda. There have recently been serious concerns raised over children – who have been incorrectly age assessed as adults – being caught up under the policy.…


Using the law to uphold the rights of vulnerable children

The December issue of Children and Young People Now included a feature on Coram Children’s Legal Centre’s 40th anniversary. The feature looked at the five key areas that have helped to shape children’s lives. You can read it here.


Deaths in the English Channel  

We were deeply saddened to hear of at least three children and one unborn baby dying in tragic circumstances last week in the English Channel. We express our condolences to all those who knew and loved those who lost their lives. CCLC works every day with children and young people who have fled conflict and persecution and we will do all…


Coram Children’s Legal Centre shortlisted for prestigious legal award

Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) has been shortlisted for a prestigious Law Society Award, the highest accolade for law firms and organisations in England and Wales. CCLC has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Access to Justice category, recognising legal teams that go above and beyond to provide fair and equal access to those most…


Significant risk to children’s rights in the new asylum system

Upcoming changes to the Immigration Rules put children’s safety and welfare at risk The Home Office have published a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules that are due to come into force at 11pm on 31st December 2020 – the end of the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU. These changes…


Children arriving in the UK held in immigration detention

Coram Children’s Legal Centre is deeply concerned by the recent reports of children being held in immigration detention facilities in Kent, after Kent County Council reached the limits of its capacity to provide safe care for any new children arriving in the area. Many children seeking safety in the UK do not have any family…