Protecting the Rights of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children

Guardianship Scotland, delivered in partnership by Aberlour Children's Charity and the Scottish Refugee Council, is calling on all political parties ahead of the Scottish Election in 2026 to protect the rights of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

When unaccompanied young people arrive in Scotland, they have often survived things no child or teenager ever should. Many have fled violence, persecution, trafficking, or exploitation, and they have had to make incredibly hard choices while completely alone. By the time they reach safety, they’re exhausted, scared, and carrying experiences that would overwhelm most adults.

In those moments, every young person deserves someone in their corner, someone who listens, believes them, and helps protect them from further harm. For a young person who has been controlled, exploited, or betrayed, having a supportive adult who sees them as more than their trauma can be life-changing. Independent Child Trafficking Guardians are that steady, trusted presence.

Without someone to guide and advocate for them, the risks do not simply disappear on arrival. A Guardian helps protect them during the most fragile part of their journey. The time when they’re trying to navigate a new country, new systems, and a new life, all while coping with what has happened to them. No young person should face that alone. Every child deserves safety, dignity, and someone who stands beside them while they recover and grow.

These young people are resilient, hopeful, and full of potential, even after everything they’ve been through. With the right support, they can begin to feel safe again, rebuild their confidence, and start imagining a future in communities where they belong and can thrive. For that potential to be realised, young people need systems around them that recognise their rights, protect them from harm, and empower them to rebuild their lives. In order to Keep the Promise to Scotland’s care experienced community, it is essential that everyone responsible in this area recognises that our duties equally include unaccompanied children and young people.

The next Scottish Parliament must commit to a rights‑led, cohesive national approach in which every unaccompanied child in Scotland feels the full protections of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, the Promise and the GIRFEC framework. Immigration enforcement must never override children’s rights, and Scotland must ensure that every child, regardless of immigration status, feels that they belong, are valued, and can thrive within our communities.