A launch event was held today for a new Independent Guardian scheme to support trafficked and unaccompanied migrant children in Northern Ireland.

The new service was created in the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, brought to the Northern Ireland Assembly by Lord Morrow but has taken longer to come into effect than initially hoped. Today’s launch event at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast introduced the work of the service which is operated by Barnardos NI and began work at the start of the month.

The role of the Independent Guardian is to provide consistent, independent, support, advice and advocacy for trafficked and unaccompanied migrant children – recognising that they are extremely vulnerable. The Guardian will act as a point person for these children helping them navigate complicated systems of care, often in a foreign language. They can accompany and support a child as they engage with various authorities (such as social workers, teachers, doctors, immigration officers, police, and lawyers) and if need be they can speak on the child’s behalf so they do not need to keep re-telling their story. The Guardian will help protect these children from being drawn into exploitation in the future and can ensure they know what their rights are and how they will be cared for.

Barnardo's NI director Lynda Wilson said "There are increasing numbers of separated and trafficked children in Northern Ireland and trying to navigate through the legal processes can be an overwhelming experience for them especially when they are so young, are on their own and often have limited to no English. The aim of the Independent Guardian Service is to provide specialist knowledge to safeguard and promote the welfare of child victims of human trafficking and always act in the best interest of the child."

Lord Morrow who brought the legislation to the Assembly said today “It is my hope that the Independent Guardianship service will help to protect and uphold the value and worth of these children; some of the most vulnerable individuals who find themselves in this part of the world.”

Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) also welcomed the launch of the Independent Guardian service today.

CARE has called for an independent guardian or advocate for trafficked children for a number of years and we were honoured to be asked by Lord Morrow to advise him as he brought the legislation through the Northern Ireland Assembly. We were humbled by Lord Morrow’s comment during the launch this afternoon that "The Independent Guardianship provision in the Act simply would never have happened without CARE."

We are delighted that the scheme is now up and running and are confident that it will offer much needed protection to children and young people at a difficult and traumatic time.

Mark Baillie, CARE Northern Ireland Public Affairs Officer