Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to promote the EU settlement scheme to children of non-UK EU citizens.

We are working in partnership with vulnerable group representatives, local authorities and other experts to make sure we reach everyone.

We have established a children’s specific content steering group to develop age-appropriate communications content and material for children as part of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) communications programme.

This group has members from a range of children’s rights bodies including legal experts, academics specialising in European children’s rights and communications professionals.

The group recognises the need to create communications materials that provide greater detail on requirements for children to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (as well as organisations making applications on behalf of children). Any materials produced are also intended to empower children and young people to understand their legal rights as EU citizens in the UK.

The intention is also to include children in the development of the content and market-test our products with children, adhering to all ethical standards, to ensure they are fit-for-purpose.

Furthermore, we are engaging regularly with local authorities regarding their responsibilities for looked after children who are impacted by the introduction of the EU Settlement Scheme and are providing guidance to help them manage these often complex cases.