Armitage, AJ;
Cohen, J;
Heys, M;
Hardelid, P;
Ward, A;
Eisen, S;
(2021)
Description and evaluation of a pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
10.1136/archdischild-2021-322319.
(In press).
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Abstract
Objective: (1) To describe a novel integrated pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). (2) To evaluate a population engaged with this service. Design: Description of the integrated pathway (objective 1) and retrospective evaluation, using data from community paediatrics, infectious diseases (IDs) screening and a sexual health (SH) service (objective 2). Setting: Unlinked data were collected from three services across three National Health Service (NHS) trusts in London. Patients: All Camden UASC engaged with the service from 01 January 2016 to 30 March 2019. Interventions: A multidisciplinary approach prioritising the health needs of UASC including a childre and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) clinican and a health improvement practitioner. There are low thresholds for onward referral and universal asymptomatic screening of UASC for ID. Main outcome measures: Data on demographics, unmet health needs and known outcomes. Results: Data were available for 101 UASC, 16% female, median age 16 years (range 14–17). Physical assault/abuse was reported in 67% and 13% disclosed sexual assault/abuse, including 38% of female UASC. Mental health symptoms were documented in 77%. IDs warranting treatment were identified in 41% including latent tuberculosis (25%) and schistosomiasis (13%). Interpreters were required for 97% and initial non-attendance rates at follow-up were 40% (ID) and 49% (SH). Conclusions: These data demonstrate high rates of historical physical and sexual assault/abuse, unmet physical, mental and emotional health needs among UASC and significant barriers to engaging with services. An integrated pathway has been successfully implemented and shown to deliver appropriate, joined-up care for UASC, consistent with current recommendations, with the potential to improve outcomes.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Description and evaluation of a pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322319 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2021-322319 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | child abuse, health services research, YOUNG-PEOPLE, ADOLESCENTS, TRANSITION, STRENGTHS, NEEDS |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10141497 |
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