Kaplan International College London
Can the best interests of children be protected under UK asylum age assessment processes?
The Baobab Centre organised a panel discussion on UK asylum age assessment processes, their planned evolution, and the best interests of children.
A full recording of the event can be accessed on
Our 3 speakers included:
- Professor Tim Cole (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health):
A member of the Home Office Age Estimation Scientific Advisory Committee (AESAC), Prof. Cole discussed the recently published report on "Biological Methods to Assess Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children's Age" . Prof. Cole presented strong evidence that age assessment using scientific methods has historically been unreliable. He advocated for using his likelihood ratio that estimates the likelihood that someone's age is as claimed, or as assessed, based on the results of four different scientific tests. This method would reduce unreliability, although it does not eliminate it. The issue of consent, moreover, remains highly problematic.
Tim Cole is professor of medical statistics at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, with a longstanding interest in growth and development, including latterly age assessment, where he has in the past been critical of using x-rays.
- Nick Lessof (NHS)
Nick Lessof is a paediatrician working as Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children in North-East London, promoting the rights of children in healthcare.
- Syd Bolton (Methoria):
Syd Bolton is a (non-practising) solicitor and a co-founder of the UK charity Methoria. Its First Rights and Last Rights Projects focusses on legal and policy advocacy pursuing equal justice for migrant children and the promotion of the rights of bereaved migrant families and all those who have died or are missing on migrant journeys.
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