I had the absolute pleasure of delivering age assessment training this week to a dedicated authority in the North of the UK. During our introductory chat, two social workers shared their discomfort with this work, with one even resisting attending the training (unsuccessfully!). This isn’t a new issue—debates about the role of social workers in age assessments are longstanding. Some believe it conflicts with core social work values, while others feel unequipped to undertake such significant responsibilities.
During our discussions, it was evident the two social workers in training shared similar concerns. They were anxious about making decisions that could significantly impact someone’s life and felt uncomfortable with what they perceived as an almost impossible task. Consequently, these social workers were likely to avoid age assessment referrals, opting instead for other pressing tasks within the team.
Firstly, it’s important to recognize that social workers routinely make decisions with profound implications for individuals’ lives. They may recommend separating children from their families, detaining individuals exhibiting risky behaviours or placing babies for adoption among other critical judgments. Age assessments are no different; they are critical decisions with significant impacts on people’s lives.
However, avoiding age assessments also puts young people at considerable risk. Reports indicate that in just six months, at least 485 children were mistakenly assessed as adults by the Home Office. Numerous cases exist where young people, misidentified as adults, faced criminal proceedings and even prison sentences before being recognized as children.
Currently, there is a troubling trend of young people being erroneously age assessed as adults. Factors such as trauma and learning difficulties are often overlooked, and without legal intervention, these individuals continue to be treated as adults. This misidentification can lead to severe consequences, including serious charges like manslaughter, for actions as minor as steering a boat.
Amidst the rise of hostile immigration policies, negative rhetoric around age disputes, and political influence concerns on the social work role, age assessments have regrettably become essential as a protective measure.
Therefore, if you are concerned about conducting age assessments, you are likely exactly the person we need for this crucial work.
If you’d like to know more about how to do this work in a way that supports your social work values, take a look at our training brochure here.
