The indicative costs and efficiencies of guardianship

Over recent years many NGOs and child welfare experts have argued for independent guardians for all separated migrant children, including victims of trafficking. This would mean that each separated child would have a trusted adult – someone on their side – to oversee and coordinate the complex services and processes which they are involved in and make sure their welfare is always central to decisions made about them.

This briefing by UNICEF UK and The Children’s Society looks at the approximate number of separated migrant children in England and Wales who are in need of a guardian, the running costs of two European systems of guardianship, and indicative areas where efficiencies and cost-savings could be made if a guardianship system were to be put in place.