This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28584275

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Welsh Refugee Council: Child asylum seekers at 'great risk' Welsh Refugee Council: Child asylum seekers at 'great risk'
(about 2 hours later)
Lone child asylum seekers are at great risk of harm or being exploited, the Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) warns. Lone child asylum seekers are at great risk of harm or being exploited, the Welsh Refugee Council has warned.
It says children travelling without parents or guardians often arrive without documents which can lead to some being categorised as an adult. It said children travelling without parents or guardians often arrive without documents which can lead to some being categorised as an adult.
Between 150 and 200 young asylum seekers arrived in Wales in the last five years but it is not known how many were placed in adult accommodation.Between 150 and 200 young asylum seekers arrived in Wales in the last five years but it is not known how many were placed in adult accommodation.
Both the Welsh government and Home Office said they were giving support. The Welsh government and Home Office said support was being offered.
"We know that children who are wrongly assessed quite often are exploited or trafficked and they are at a great risk of harm," said WRC policy officer Hannah Wharf. "We know that children who are wrongly assessed quite often are exploited or trafficked and they are at a great risk of harm," said Welsh Refugee Council policy officer Hannah Wharf.
"They'll also be at risk of abuse and mental health issues.""They'll also be at risk of abuse and mental health issues."
As a result of the funding cut, the WRC said children seeking asylum are not fully protected. As a result of the funding cut, the organisation said children seeking asylum are not fully protected.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUNG ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVE?WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUNG ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVE?
It also claimed Wales was "lagging behind" the rest of the UK and accused the Welsh government of failing to comply with the UN convention that children seeking refuge must "be protected from violence, exploitation and child labour".It also claimed Wales was "lagging behind" the rest of the UK and accused the Welsh government of failing to comply with the UN convention that children seeking refuge must "be protected from violence, exploitation and child labour".
It said the Welsh government has a duty to ensure every child is treated equally.It said the Welsh government has a duty to ensure every child is treated equally.
A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: "Our refugee inclusion strategy sets out that our policy commitments for children and young people in Wales apply equally strongly in the case of asylum and immigration as in any other part of public policy in Wales."A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: "Our refugee inclusion strategy sets out that our policy commitments for children and young people in Wales apply equally strongly in the case of asylum and immigration as in any other part of public policy in Wales."
It said it has funded guidance for professionals working with unaccompanied asylum seeking children "which is underpinned by the principle, child first, migrant second".It said it has funded guidance for professionals working with unaccompanied asylum seeking children "which is underpinned by the principle, child first, migrant second".
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are dealt with by specially trained staff and referred to social workers as soon as possible.A Home Office spokesperson said: "Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are dealt with by specially trained staff and referred to social workers as soon as possible.
"Age assessments are vital in ensuring that children and adults are treated appropriately as unfortunately adults claim to be children in order to access this specialist support.""Age assessments are vital in ensuring that children and adults are treated appropriately as unfortunately adults claim to be children in order to access this specialist support."