Summary table: Special needs and safety risks

Operational standards and indicators on the reception conditions of unaccompanied minors 

 Standard

 Indicators

7. Ensure an initial
procedure is in
place to identify
and assess
special needs for
unaccompanied
children.

7.1 A standardised mechanism/procedure to systematically identify and assess special needs for unaccompanied children is in place.

7.2 The mechanism clearly prescribes who is responsible for the identification and assessment of special needs.

7.3 The mechanism clearly prescribes how the identification and the assessment of the needs are recorded and communicated to the unaccompanied child and to relevant actors.

8. Ensure that the
mechanism/
procedure for
identification and
assessment of
special needs is
effectively applied
as soon as possible
after arrival.

8.1 Sufficient resources are allocated to systematically identify and assess the special needs of each unaccompanied child.

8.2 The initial identification and assessment of obvious vulnerability to allocate special needs is conducted during the reception intake on the first day upon arrival, at the latest within 24 hours.

8.3 Special needs that become apparent at a later stage are adequately identified and assessed, addressed and documented.

8.4 Where relevant, specialised actors are involved in the assessment of special needs.

8.5 Communication channels and cooperation between the reception authority and the determining authority are established and used within the limits of confidentiality.

8.6 The identification and assessment of special needs takes place without prejudice to the examination of the unaccompanied child’s need for international protection.

9. Ensure that
identified special needs
are addressed in a timely manner.

9.1 Adequate action is taken to respond to the identified and assessed special needs. The urgency of the response will depend on the identified need.

9.2 In case special needs have been identified, there is a mechanism in place to ensure their regular monitoring.

10. Ensure that staff working with unaccompanied
children in
a reception facility identify early safety
and wellbeing risks for children.

10.1 A standard risk assessment to identify the safety risks around unaccompanied children is in place.

10.2 Safety risks of unaccompanied children are assessed in the first week upon arrival and this is repeated regularly at least every 6 months.

10.3 Safety risks are systematically assessed.

10.4 The outcome of the risk assessment is discussed in a multidisciplinary context.

11. Child reception
staff ensures the
reduction of safety
risks to an absolute
minimum.

11.1 The necessary care and appropriate reception facility based on the risk assessment is provided within a week after arrival.

11.2 Immediate action in acutely unsafe situations is taken by the reception authorities in order to eliminate the unsafe situation.

11.3 Reception facilities have an alert instrument and ensure the systematic reporting and immediate response of missing unaccompanied children.

12. Ensure knowledge
is provided to
unaccompanied
children on the
subject of (de)
radicalisation and
that staff share
signals related
to the (potential)
radicalisation of
unaccompanied
children with
responsible
authorities.

12.1 The subject of radicalisation is discussed with unaccompanied children where necessary by staff working with unaccompanied children.

12.2 Reception facilities have an alert instrument in order to report signals of radicalisation to the responsible persons and authorities.

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