Life (forever) on hold: unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in Australia

Abstract

This chapter describes the situation of unaccompanied children who have sought asylum and are living in Australia. The chapter highlights changing immigration policy towards unaccompanied children, and the outcome of an increasingly restrictive regime. It critiques their treatment within a human rights and rights of the child framework and discuss the challenges and dilemmas faced by service providers charged with the care and supervision of these children. It concludes with some reflections on models of care that address young people’s needs, promote their rights and challenge the broader political and policy context that impacts so determinately on these children and young adults current well-being and on their futures.