Advice agencies join forces to offer legal support to migrant children

Kids In Need of Defence (KIND) UK will be modelled on a similar American scheme, co-founded by UN refugee agency special envoy Angelina Jolie-Pitt, and the Microsoft Foundation in 2008.

KIND US has trained more than 13,000 American attorneys, to build a national network of lawyers able to represent children in immigration cases and is now supporting development of the UK scheme.

Together with Central England Law Centre (CELC), other partners in the UK scheme are: the Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit (MiCLU) at Islington Law Centre; Coram Children’s Legal Centre, and Legal Services Agency, Glasgow. All the agencies involved are recognised as leaders in the field of children’s rights law.

CELC chief executive officer Sue Bent said: “Legal aid cuts in this country have left thousands of undocumented children unable to access legal advice.

“Many of these uniquely vulnerable children are either born in the UK or have spent most of their formative years here and could become British citizens, if only they could find a lawyer to help them navigate complex laws and through the difficult process of applying to the Home Office. Without this support, they face a bleak future, blocked from full access to education or employment, and left at greater risk of abuse, destitution and exploitation.”

KIND UK is still in its earliest stages, but aims to train commercial lawyers to step in and support children with immigration issues. It is working with a growing number of commercial firms who are interested in increasing their level of pro bono work.

KIND president Wendy Young said: “KIND is extremely pleased is to be partnering with CELC and our other UK partners to help protect children in the UK from harm and provide a future free from fear. We also look forward to working with law firms and corporations in the UK to help expand their pro bono work to provide children with the access to legal services that they so desperately need.”

The scheme is initially being funded over a three-year period by: Microsoft Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and Unbound Philanthropy.