Housing children in hotels "exacerbates trauma", warns Children's Commissioner

Housing children in hotels who are homeless or seeking asylum is a violation of their human rights and can "exacerbate harm", according to a new report from Scotland's Children's Commissioner.

The report - titled 'Sometimes I Feel Like I am in Prison – Placing Children in Hotel-type Accommodation' - found children seeking asylum have been placed in hotels "because of UK Government policies which do not meet human rights standards".

It adds many refugees and asylum seekers are required to room share or are moved into similar forms of accommodation such as camps or barges,

One young person housed in a hotel said: "Sometimes I feel like I am in prison. I do not know anywhere around me, sometimes I take a walk to ease the tension as there are no other young people in the hotel that I can talk to."

The report also mentions more children experiencing homelessness are being housed in temporary hotel-type accommodation by local authorities due to a lack of suitable alternatives.

Several recommendations have been made within the report to help reduce or mitigate harm children are exposed to whilst living in these environments.

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “Hotels are not a luxury option. They can be dangerous, exacerbate trauma and cause long-term harm to health and development. Our report recommendations are for public authorities and accommodation providers to follow to ensure that they comply with their human rights duties to children.

"Human rights are universal. They apply to all children without exception, whether a child is born here or moves here. The right to an adequate standard of living is much greater than simply having a roof over your head – it’s somewhere to live in security, peace, and dignity.”

The report recommends that accommodation provided to a child must meet the necessary standards to provide them with an adequate standard of living, taking into account their rights to education, play, health, privacy, family life, safety and development.

One young person housed in a hotel said: “Sometimes I feel like I am in prison. I do not know anywhere around me, sometimes I take a walk to ease the tension as there are no other young people in the hotel that I can talk to.”

Yvonne Blake, co-founder of Migrants Organising for Rights and Empowerment said: “Hotel-style accommodation will always be wholly inappropriate, discriminatory, and unsuitable for children and young people."

It was announced last week by UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick that the number of hotels used to house migrants will be cut by 50 over the next three months.

Scottish housing minister Paul McLennan said: "Scotland has the strongest rights in the UK for people experiencing homelessness and - whilst it shows our legislation is working to make sure people are not roofless - temporary accommodation should be just that, temporary.

"We have committed to act on the recommendations of the expert Temporary Accommodation Task and Finish Group, including investing at least £60 million for councils and social landlords to acquire properties for use as affordable homes.

"The UK asylum system is failing those fleeing war and persecution, with people left in limbo because the UK Government's mismanagement has left a backlog of over 175,000 people waiting for a decision on their cases. Inhumane asylum policies also restrict people's rights and access to support while they wait for a decision.

"This has put acute pressure on housing and social work services supporting asylum seeking children, meaning hotels have been used by some local authorities on a temporary basis to accommodate young people aged over 16 while a suitable placement is found."

The Scottish Government is working with the Home Office, councils and others to "find solutions and provide the safety and security young asylum seekers need to rebuild their lives", Mr McLennan added.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Government is working to end the unacceptable use of hotels by moving asylum seekers into alternative, cheaper accommodation and clearing the legacy backlog.

"The health and welfare of asylum seekers, including that of children and families, remains the utmost priority.

"We work continually to ensure the needs and vulnerabilities of those residing in asylum accommodation are identified and considered, including those related to mental health and trauma."