Statement of Good Practice

The Statement of Good Practice aims to provide a clear and simple overview of the principles, policies and practices required to implement measures that will ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of separated children in Europe. It reflects the experience and practice of the SCEP’s specialist Network of Non-Governmental Partners. The Statement of Good Practice is principally informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and two other documents: the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment Number 6 on the Treatment of Unaccompanied and Separated Children Outside Their Country of Origin, 2005, here referred to as General Comment No 6 and UNHCR’s Guidelines on Policies and Procedures in dealing with Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum, 1997, here referred to as the UNHCR Guidelines. Whilst the latter document has impacted significantly on the Statement of Good Practice it is important to affirm that the Statement of Good Practice is relevant to all separated children and not just those who are seeking asylum. Throughout the Statement of Good Practice there are references to the key informing documents. This is the fourth edition of the SCEP Statement of Good Practice. It should be stressed that this is a living document, which reflects the dynamic progression of human rights protection and issues particularly affecting separated children. The Statement of Good Practice is not merely an exhaustive listing of standardsand good practice, but rather a framework for action and advocacy that we may continue to build upon in the future. In this regard it is likely that new emerging issues will need to be addressed in future revisions of the Statement of Good Practice.