Children and Young People

What is Guardianship Scotland?

Guardianship Scotland is a specialist statutory service which provides Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ITCG) to all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and survivors of child-trafficking who arrive in Scotland without their families.

The service is delivered in partnership by Scottish Refugee Council and Aberlour Children's Charity on behalf of the Scottish Government. It replaced the Scottish Guardianship Service on 1 April 2023.

Did you know?

Under s11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act 2015, all unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children in Scotland are entitled to be referred to Guardianship Scotland. Scottish Local Authorities have a duty to refer children and young people as soon as reasonably practicable to the service.

Eligibility criteria 

We will accept referrals for any child or young person who is:

• Under 18 years of age and
• Separated from both parents and not being cared for by an adult who in law or by custom has responsibility to do so and
• In the care of a Scottish Local Authority

Young people remain eligible for support from Guardianship Scotland until three months after they have, either been granted leave to remain, or have received a conclusive grounds trafficking decision and are over 18.

How we help

Our Guardians support children and young people settle into a new life in Scotland. They help young people cope with being apart from their families in a strange new country. This support can include:

• Navigating the complex trafficking, asylum, welfare, criminal justice and age assessment processes
• Ensuring decisions are taken in the best interests of the child
• Building trusting relationships with young people and supporting them to make informed decisions about their future.
• Working collaboratively with other professionals to safeguard children
• Upholding children's rights by listening to them and acting as advocates on their behalf
• Providing practical and emotional support

Any Local Authority or agency in Scotland can make a referral to Guardianship Scotland via an online form on our website, phone 0141 445 8659, or by emailing guardianship@aberlour.org.uk.

Please note: We cannot accept referrals from age-disputed young people until they are in the Local Authority's care. However, we can provide advice and information to supporting agencies.