EU Settlement Scheme for children in care – What next?

The EU Settlement Scheme application process closes today. Following a report by The Children’s Society that less than 40% had made applications to the EUSS, there is a concern that the status of many children in care may not have been settled. A Home Office’s survey highlighted that more than 50% of identified children still needed to apply. Hopefully these figures have improved as the deadline approached. The Home Office has confirmed that those who submit their application late will have no lawful status from today until their application has been approved, which means that they will be liable to potential removal from the UK. The Home Office retains a discretion to consider late applicants if they demonstrate “reasonable grounds” but it remains to be seen how the Home Office will exercise that discretion.

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