The basics

• Everyone can access primary healthcare regardless of their immigration status. Find more information on NHS access for migrant Londoners
• All children should be able to access a children’s centre
• All three- and four- year-olds living in England are entitled to free childcare. Eligibility for two-year-olds is affected by a parent’s immigration status, however this was recently extended. Check the Department for Education’s guidance on eligibility here or NRPF Network guidance for migrants
• If it’s safe and appropriate, mothers should include the father’s name on the child’s birth certificate. This is important especially if a child can acquire British citizenship through their father.

• All children of compulsory school age have a right to go to school regardless of their immigration status. The only children who may not be entitled to a state school place are children on short-term visas (tourists or visit visas) and children with a visa to attend a private school
• Signs of primary and secondary students struggling with immigration issues: not being able to travel, not getting free school meals when they otherwise appear eligible, feeling uncomfortable talking about passports, not joining in work experience opportunities, suddenly abandoning hopes of going to university
• Immigration status can affect a young person’s eligibility for funding for further education. To find out who is eligible, please see the current Education and Skills Funding Agency guidance for 16- to 19-year-olds and guidance for 19+. There is simplified guidance on Coram Children's Legal Centre website or Refugee Education UK's higher education toolkit.

If a child or young person is in care, the local authority must take steps to understand whether they have immigration or citizenship issues. This, and any steps to resolve those issues, must form part of the child’s care plan.

The Local Government Ombudsman has upheld complaints against local authorities that failed to resolve the immigration status of children in their care.

• Ask about the citizenship and immigration status of every looked after child and care leaver. Do so even if they were born in the UK, or have lived here for a very long time
• Record citizenship and immigration status as standard in your systems for every looked-after child and care leaver and consider it at LAC reviews
• Take steps to resolve immigration status for all looked-after children and care leavers

Legal aid is now available for all children in care with immigration, citizenship, asylum and trafficking issues. You can look for a lawyer to help.