age assessment of unaccompanied children seeking asylum (27 05 09)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Concerning the age assessment of unaccompanied children seeking
asylum and the available guidance, can you please provide copies
of:

1) Confirmation or denial that it is the practice of your local
authority to always send the UKBA/Home Office a full copy of the
age assessment and that doing so complies with your Confidentiality
and Data Protection Act duties and policies and is done so with the
informed consent of the person age assessed or with the written
agreement of the assessed person's legal representative.

1.1) If you do send the UKBA/Home Office a full copy of the age
assessment, but only in certain circumstances, can you give details
of these circumstances and that doing so complies with your
Confidentiality and Data Protection Act duties and policies and is
done so with the informed consent of the person age assessed or
with the written agreement of the assessed person's legal
representative.

1.2) Confirmation or denial that it is the practice of your local
authority to always only send the UKBA/Home Office a summary of the
outcome of the age assessment and that doing so complies with your
Confidentiality and Data Protection Act duties and policies and is
done so with the informed consent of the person age assessed or
with the written agreement of the assessed person's legal
representative.

In connection with (1) , (1.1) and (1.2) above can you please
provide copies of any procedures, operational policy or guidance
that explains the manner by which these age assessments or
summaries are shared with the UKBA/Home Office and that doing so is
perfectly legal and professionally ethical. Together with copies of
the relevant age assessment forms or summaries you currently use.

Background information:

"A full copy of the 'age assessment' pro forma is forwarded to the
Home
Office"
http://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/NR/r...

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Yours faithfully,

Cassidy, J

Dear Sir or Madam,

This request is currently overdue a response from Merton Borough
Council. By law, the response had to be prompt but no later than 24
June 2009

Yours sincerely,

Cassidy, J