Authors
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Margrite E. Kalverboer
University of Groningen
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Elianne Zijlstra
University of Groningen
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Mijntje D.C. ten Brummelaar
University of Groningen
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Anne-Marie N. Huyghen
University of Groningen
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Heinrich B. Winter
University of Groningen
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Erik J. Knorth
University of Groningen
Keywords:
UNCRC, asylum procedure, best interests of the child, children's rights, welfare reports
Abstract
This study explores the impact of child-focused social welfare reports on legal decision-making in cases involving children and families seeking asylum in The Netherlands. The Best Interest of the Child Questionnaire (BIC-Q), based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, was designed to assess the developmental prospects of refugee children in different places of residence. In 70 cases of asylum-seeking children, BIC-Q data were used as input for reports aimed at supporting them in the judicial process. The families' solicitors introduced the reports in the legal proceedings. In 87 per cent of the cases, these were taken into account. In those cases where a final decision was made concerning residence rights (n = 30), analyses were made of the reports' impact using the minutes of the internal discussions. The results show the significance of these reports for decision-making in line with the UNCRC.
Author Biographies
Margrite E. Kalverboer, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Elianne Zijlstra, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Mijntje D.C. ten Brummelaar, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Anne-Marie N. Huyghen, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Heinrich B. Winter, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Law, Department of Administrative Law and Public Administration, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Erik J. Knorth, University of Groningen
University of Groningen, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Groningen, the Netherlands.